Polestar has just released a new concept car called the Polestar O2 and it might be one of the best-looking machines to come out of Sweden since a supercar from Koenigsegg. The EV roadster is sharp not just in the styling department, but for the brand's planned use of eco-friendly materials as well as the built-in drone that can record you while you're driving.
With a wonderful blend of sharp lines, sculpting on the fenders and doors, as well as bulging curves, the O2 is, pardon the pun, a bit of fresh air in the segment. The Thor's hammer headlights and horseshoe taillights complete the look quite well, as do the four-spoke wheels and cameras for mirrors, but there's more to Polestar's latest concept than just good looks.
"Polestar O2 is our vision of a new era for sports cars. By mixing the joy of open top driving with the purity of electric mobility, it unlocks a new mix of emotions in a car. But as with all our cars, we are about more than just straight line sprints. It’s when you turn the steering wheel that the true fun begins,” said design boss Maximilian Missoni.
The O2 uses a bonded aluminum platform, developed from the structure used in the upcoming Polestar 5. That offers a long wheelbase, a highly rigid frame, and the ability to pack in plenty of battery cells. Polestar says direct steering, taut dynamics, and little body roll are all on tap here. Range and power figures weren't revealed for the O2.
Inside, the O2 uses a thermoplastic mono-material throughout, a term that means just one material is used for as many surfaces as possible. That single base material, here a recycled polyester, simplifies recycling and reduces waste. The automaker calls it "a significant step towards greater circularity."
Different grades of aluminum are used in the chassis to offer optimal strength where it's needed and efficiency where that quality is more desirable. In the concept, Polestar has labelled the different grades, meaning they can hit the proper recycling channels at end of life.
Polestar's party trick is the drone hiding behind the rear seats. Clever work in the wind tunnel has let Polestar engineers create an aerofoil that raises and creates an area of calm air allowing the drone to take off when the car is on the move. It can autonomously follow, at speeds up to 90 km/h, and follow a preset sequence to capture scenic cruises or action-filled shots. The drone can land back in the car autonomously and then the user can edit on the car's 15-inch centre display.
This is Polestar's second concept, a followup to the Precept and not a production car, but Polestar says that its next three vehicles, launching in the coming three years, will have the "potential to gradually realize some of the ideas presented by these concept cars."
