Swedish Design with Purpose

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It’s easy to see Polestar’s Scandinavian inspiration in the design of all of its vehicles. Minimalism is the key element of every Polestar; nothing flashy, but sleek or excessive, powerful lines give the vehicles presence. But good design also comes with purpose.

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Outside, while every Polestar vehicle has its own character, they all share that minimalist approach. Clean lines, sharp creases, and a powerful stance give them presence, and no design element is without thought. Take the Polestar 4, for example: the sleek exterior gives the appearance of a coupe, yet inside it has the room of an SUV. What helps that is something new: a raised rear roofline eliminates the rear window, replacing the view with a camera. And besides the low front end, air curtains below the headlights, side aero blades at the front, and flush handles don’t just look racy, they work together for better aerodynamics, which helps in efficiency.

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The same ethos applies to Polestar interiors. While that clean look is aesthetically breathtaking, it also allows for less waste in materials. Fashion-inspired materials include a fabric made from 89 percent recycled PET waste (the kind of plastic used for water bottles), while a single large touchscreen eliminates the clutter of buttons and switches. In the Polestar 4, an ultra-fine, technical mesh fabric on the door panels are backlit – that’s also combined with a Solar system-inspired coloured illumination package. Rear seats recline, and there is a surprisingly generous 1,536 L of cargo area behind the 2nd row – both thanks again in part to that rear-windowless design.

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If that’s not enough for you, the Polestar 4 has received a prestigious Red Dot “Best of the Best” Award for its innovative design; world-class recognition indeed.

Ethical and Sustainable Solutions

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Perhaps no other automaker has the focus on sustainability and ethical production like Polestar. Highlighting that drive is the Polestar 0; no, it’s not their latest car, it’s the automaker’s plan to eliminate all greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle production, including the supply chain, by 2030. Beginning with research and identifying the problems, Polestar will move towards responsibly sourced raw materials, innovations in refined materials, production processes, and energy sources, among other areas. It already collaborates with various companies around the world that share the same viewpoint.

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It’s an ambitious goal, but Polestar has already implemented processes and uses innovative materials to lower its current CO2 emissions per car; for example, blockchain technology lets Polestar trace mined materials back to its source, ensuring that it is mined not only cleanly, but also ethically. And Polestar also extensively uses recycled products such as steel, aluminum, plastics, and textiles, along with composites made from natural flax fibre. And the efforts are working: since 2020, Polestar has reduced its carbon footprint per car by 24.7%, all by using more low-carbon aluminum, battery manufacturing improvements, using 100% renewable energy in manufacturing, and even more efficient shipping logistics and methods.

Collaborations

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Many automakers use products from various companies in their vehicles, such as specialty suspensions or stereos, but no one truly embraces collaborations on design, engineering, and sustainability like Polestar. As a relatively new automaker, the Swedish brand realized early on the importance of involving experts in various fields, even beyond automotive; think of a chef mixing the best ingredients to make a delicious meal.

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As such, Polestar has formed strategic relationships with companies that share its core values, and the list is almost as long as it is diverse: Circulor, for example, is behind the aforementioned blockchain technology tracking mined materials; Google connects drivers to car with its constantly upgraded technology; Bridge of Weir supplies ethically sourced leather for interiors; Bower’s & Wilkins has added its sonic experience for in-car audio dynamics; and even legendary Italian brake manufacturer Brembo brings some Polestar vehicles to a stop. The list goes on, but these companies don’t just sell products to Polestar, they also share information and ideas to help make their own products better in the process.

Performance

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Polestar proves that sustainability can also be exciting. Take the Polestar 4, for example; its all-electric powertrain and world-class handling can feel like a luxury sedan or an apex-clipping sports car, and it all just depends on how you feel that day behind the wheel. Single- and dual-motor versions offer 272 hp and 544 hp respectively, with customizable handling parameters such as steering feedback, one-pedal driving, and a Sport mode. Other details, such as near-balanced weight distribution front-to-back, flush door handles and windows and a flat floor for better aerodynamics, and available active suspension dampers help deliver world-class handling. The design and technologies help both driving dynamics and also vehicle range: the Polestar 4 features up to 499 kilometres for the single motor version and 451 km for the dual motor car.

Technology

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A truly premium vehicle is defined not simply by its luxuries, but also by its technologies. And Polestar has made tech integration and innovation a core element of its lineup since day one. The Polestar 4 is just the latest example of the Swedish brand’s progressive thinking; we’ve already touched on the electronic rear-view mirror, but a short tour around the fully digital passenger compartment reveals more amazing technologies, some obvious and not so much. The infotainment system within the giant 15.4-inch touchscreen is powered by Android Automotive, and Google Built-In is standard – but don’t worry, iPhone users, so is Apple CarPlay. A wide array of advanced electronic driver assistance systems is there for safety, while an electrochromic glass roof goes can be changed from clear to opaque to shield the sun’s rays, without the need for a separate screen. And all this is just a scratch on the surface of what is digitally available to the driver and passengers.

Unlike other automakers, Polestar doesn’t just build cars. They develop ideas, technology and partnerships based on an ethical and sustainable vision for the future. It just so happens they also offer a range of exciting, efficient and advanced vehicles for us to enjoy now.