Beyond the Road: Alex Knollenberg
Alex Knollenberg knows a thing or two about performance-driven EVs. Having owned the first three cars in the Polestar line-up, some might even call him an expert. We caught up with the Hoosier native at a recent track experience day in southern Sweden to discuss his love of driving, Polestar 3's unique handling, and why people keep stopping him in the street.
[It's a] chance to spend time with the engineers and test drivers who actually developed these cars
"You can't park a Polestar 2 or Polestar 3 anywhere without someone asking what it is," says Alex Knollenberg. He is, of course, talking about the experience of owning a Polestar in the United States. With the brand continuing to grow in North America, the sight of the distinctive Polestar badge can (and often does) stop people in their tracks. "It's a newer brand. You still feel like you're getting in early to something. You feel like you are an ambassador."
It's a simple statement but one that lies at the heart of the Polestar story: a brand with products so breathtaking, you'd feel proud to promote them as your own.
Alex is something of a Polestar aficionado. Perhaps it’s his background in mechanical engineering that has enabled him to appreciate the more technical aspects of the car and its performance. "Of course, everyone talks about the instant torque, the horsepower, and everything. It is incredible to have that accessible on the road."
But his recent trip to Sweden was for more than just track time. It was an opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the company's unsung heroes. "What this [Polestar track day] delivered was a chance to spend time with the engineers and test drivers who actually developed these cars I get to experience every day."
01/04
Polestar 3's torque vectoring system is incredible. I've experienced it on the road but getting to experience it on the track was incredible
1, 2, and 3
It's not often you meet someone who has owned and driven a Polestar 1, Polestar 2, and Polestar 3. But after speaking to Alex following his hot lap at Sturup Raceway in southern Sweden, you begin to understand that he is not really your ordinary Polestar customer.
"We've been following the brand ever since the Polestar 1 was announced. What we really like is the blend of design, performance, and a sense of what I tend to think of as quiet luxury."
Having owned a Polestar 2 for several years, the transition to Polestar 3 was natural for Alex and his wife. "The cars have different personalities. The Polestar 2 was the first car we bought. It was the right car, the right size, and great performance. It's light just to throw around. The Polestar 3 was a big step up, not just in terms of size and utility but also in terms of performance. For an SUV, the handling is incredible."
As one of the first Polestar 3 owners in North America, Alex again finds himself in the envious position of driving a car rarely seen on roads. But despite the admiring glances from curious passers-by, it's Polestar 3's unique performance that impresses him the most. "The Polestar 3's torque vectoring system is incredible. I've experienced it on the road - if I was being a little sassy on the roundabout - but getting to experience it on the track was incredible. It shows incredible confidence from a brand to say, 'Hey, we have a new SUV. Let's take it to the test track.'"
And we'd tend to agree. SUVs are known for many things, but they aren't normally the star of the show on track days.
But then again, Polestar 3 isn't your normal SUV.
