If you’re looking for an automaker that’s got car design under control and sticks to its ethics, look no further than Polestar. The brand is Volvo’s electric performance arm, and recently they’ve been making some fascinating cars and concepts. Their latest creation is the Polestar O2 Concept which they claim is a hardtop convertible roadster. If you’re pedantic about nomenclature, the O2 being a 2+2 doesn’t necessarily qualify to be a roadster. But you’ll forget it as soon as you lay eyes on it. Stay away from Tesla, there’s a new, non-existent roadster in town.
The Polestar O2 and its breathtaking look
The O2 is based on a bonded aluminum chassis that was used for the Polestar Precept concept. The O2’s front and rear aesthetics, as well as the design of the interior dashboard, are largely influenced by the all-electric four-door coupe concept. The front of the car isn’t particularly long, but it slopes forward aggressively, just like a modern supercar. The O2 also features aerodynamic elements that help reduce drag to maximize range. These elements include integrated ducts that improve laminar airflow over the wheels and body sides. The rear lights have been designed to function as air knives to reduce turbulence behind the car.
Polestar knows that a good ‘Roadster’ must also be a great driving car. The automaker promises that it will handle very well offering rigid body control and intuitive dynamics. Polestar says the O2’s driving experience is “lively, light and full of confidence”. The car will be tuned with a balance between being predictable, yet playful for spirited driving. It will be configured to have small roll angles and high roll damping, with an agile, direct and linear steering system. The overall package undoubtedly looks extraordinary, but of course there is more.
The interior of the Polestar O2 is designed to be durable
The O2 is a 2+2 convertible concept model with a folding metal roof. The car features an interior designed with generous use of sustainable materials. The concept is also inspired by the Precept, with a new thermoplastic mono-material to line the cabin. It is mixed with other materials such as recycled polyester which is found on all the soft touch parts of the interior. The clever design of it all allows the interior to be easily recycled while reducing weight and waste.
The coolest feature is the inclusion of an autonomous cinematic drone. The drone is placed behind the rear seats and can be deployed when the car is in motion. The drone will follow the car up to 56 miles per hour. When parked, the user can then edit the images in the car and then share them via the huge 15-inch central screen. The drone is perhaps the concept’s most interesting feature, but it’s highly unlikely that it will ever be produced.
Polestar O2 Concept in pole position
A new Tesla Roadster has been reportedly in the works for some time, promising stunning performance and long range for an electric vehicle. The Roadster concept looked and sounded great. But over time, EV technologies have followed suit, and the promised numbers have now been largely achieved by other cars, some from Tesla themselves. The novelty of the impending Tesla Roadster seems to be wearing off.
Polestar, Volvo’s sister brand, knows that performance numbers sound great on paper, but 0-60 times and top speed numbers are largely irrelevant in the real world. So they focused precisely on the things that really matter to modern customers: breathtaking looks and a more environmentally friendly car. That’s exactly what the all-new Polestar O2 Concept previews. But the one thing Tesla Roadster and the O2 have in common is that neither of them exist as production cars.
The future of the Polestar O2 concept
It might not come as a big surprise, but Polestar has no plans to put the O2 Concept into production just yet. But with the concept, they’re on a mission to redefine the sporty roadsters of the electrified age of the automobile. The O2 is essentially a flex of how Polestar’s next-gen design language can evolve and adapt to different body styles while staying true to the family likeness.
While Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath proclaims the O2 as “our brand’s heroic car”, it’s simply a design flex of what they can do when they get creative. That’s a shame. However, there is a reason to smile. Polestar is working on introducing three new models by 2025. It includes the Polestar 5, a production-ready version of the Precept Concept four-door coupe, which we can’t wait to see.
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