The all-electric Polestar O2 concept looks to the future, while wearing a body style from the not-too-distant past: the hardtop convertible.
Unveiled overnight, the O2 applies Polestar’s new design language, launched with the 2020 Precept concept, to a sporty two-door vehicle.
The O2 features a glass and metal roof that folds up into the boot. Thanks to its long wheelbase and short overhangs, the two-door concept has a 2+2 seating layout.
The concept boasts a number of sustainable design features that make the car easier to recycle at the end of its life.
This includes the extensive use of a thermoplastic “mono-material” throughout the cabin, as well as recycled polyester for its many soft components, including foam, adhesive, non-woven lamination and 3D knit fibres.
On top of the this, grade ratings are stamped on all of the car’s aluminium parts. Doing so makes it easier to, say, recycle high-grade pieces into new high-grade pieces, saving energy and reducing the need for new aluminium.
The O2 comes with a Hoco Flow drone that resides behind the rear seats. Thanks to an aerofoil that raises to create an area with very little air turbulence, the drone can be launched while the car is on the move.
The drone can follow the car autonomously at speeds up to 90km/h, and film the O2 in one of two modes: action for shorter, sharper visuals, or atmospheric, which takes in more of the surrounding scenery.
Once filming is complete, the drone returns automatically to the car, and the footage can be edited on the O2’s 15.0-inch portrait touchscreen when parked.
The soon-to-be floated automaker hasn’t revealed any details about the O2’s drivetrain, battery capacity, range or performance, but says the concept rides on a modified version of the bonded aluminium platform being developed for the Polestar 5 luxury liftback.
Set to debut in 2024, the Polestar 5 will be the brand’s first car to ride on an architecture not shared with controlling shareholder Volvo.
No word yet on whether Polestar plans on bringing the O2 to market. If the automaker does decide to the put the two-door into production, it probably won’t be available globally until 2025 at the earliest.
Polestar is currently busy preparing for a backdoor listing on the tech-heavy NASDAQ stock exchange.
It is planning to launch a new EV per year with the Polestar 3 crossover due in 2022, the Polestar 4 crossover coupe following in 2023, and the Polestar 5 grand tourer in 2024.
Keyword: Polestar O2 concept unveiled with built-in drone