To be sure, electric SUVs will form the backbone of most automakers’ electrification strategies. But those handy vehicles aren’t as inspiring as the joy you get from a sports car. That’s why we’re excited to see the newest concept from Polestar, O2 (pronounced like oxygen molecule), take the top-down route.
The O2 is a 2+2 hardtop, and Polestar says the styling shown on this concept as well as the Polestar 5 (formerly the Limit concept) provides a good idea of what to expect from the company’s products in the future.
Simply put, it moves away from its Volvo roots in search of a more distinctive, angular character.
Polestar O2 . Concept
Unlike the Precept, which was confirmed late last year to become a production model as the Polestar 5 by 2024, the O2 exists as a single-use concept so far with no plans to bring it. into production in the future. However, Gregor Hembrough, head of Polestar Americas tell GCR in December last year that “Polestar wants to be a rival to Porsche, in terms of design, performance and innovation.”
To really go after Porsche, the company will need some kind of 911-style sports or road car.
We hope that’s this car, because the O2 is absolutely gorgeous.
Polestar O2 . Concept
Polestar calls the O2 “the hero car for our brand” and it is certainly designed with that style in mind. We had a chance to see the concept in Los Angeles before it was released, and the impressions from the photos have stayed with us. The design stands out with its sporty styling and angled front and rear fenders. The rear end is particularly appealing, with the rear pillars extending back over the bunker and almost touching the wide taillights that extend over the top of the trunk lid. There’s also little text around various car features that feels like a miniature Virgil Abloh tribute.
Powertrain details are lacking, but we can confirm that the concept also sits on Polestar’s new exclusive platform that underpins the Polestar 5. In that car, the wheelbase is 122 long. .0 inches, but it was shortened to 109.9 inches for the O2. The “footpegs” from the Polestar 5 to provide more legroom for the rear passengers have been removed, but otherwise the platform remains the same (only shorter). That length puts the amount of O2 into the realm of the Lexus LC 500 (113.0 inches) compared with the Porsche 911 (96.5 inches).
Polestar is also using O2 to launch some new sustainability features, with monoplastic thermoplastic being used to make many of the trim pieces. Recycled polyester is also used for all of the “software components” of the interior, such as foam, adhesives and 3D knitting yarns. In the chassis, Polestar keeps the different layers of aluminum separate and thus allows the premium aluminum to maintain its integrity.
Polestar O2 . Concept
The 15-inch touchscreen uses the same next-generation infotainment found in the Polestar 5, and representatives say more details about that system will be announced at a later date. But the most exciting piece of new technology from the O2 comes in the form of an autonomous drone that can slide out from behind the rear seats and down into a small groove in the deck. From there, it can launch even while the car is driving, thanks to a raised wing creating a negative pressure area.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a drone integrated into a concept. Concept AI: Audi’s Trail features a detachable drone headlight that illuminates the road ahead when off-road. But O2’s drones do not serve a functional purpose but more of a social one. The drone can automatically track the vehicle at speeds up to 56 mph, and the driver can choose between different automated paths to film in the desired sequence pattern. Videos can be edited and shared directly from the O2’s central screen.
The potential timeline for a potential O2 production vehicle may be far away; Polestar has announced that it will introduce the Polestar 3 later this year and it will go on sale in early 2023, followed by the Polestar 4 and Polestar 5, scheduled to launch in 2023 and 2024 respectively. As the concept shares a platform with the Polestar 5, its arrival will likely coincide with or follow the new flagship sedan. That puts its timeline behind the Tesla Roadster, even with that car push to next year at least.
L to R: Polestar 5, Polestar 4 and Polestar 3
But for the foreseeable future, the O2’s energetic appearance makes us even more excited for the Polestar 3. We’ve only seen that vehicle in disguise and even though it will ride on the Volvo SPA2 platform. , Polestar says its styling will follow what has been shown on the Precept and Box2. Crossed fingers.
