New design direction, technologies and materials
Polestar has very recently revealed the upcoming Precept concept car, which will showcase the brand’s future direction in terms of design language, new materials and technologies. The name Precept was chosen to emphasise the vehicle’s tole in setting out the company’s intent as a performance brand and signifies as an important milestone for Polestar as a standalone brand.
“Precept is a declaration, a vision of what Polestar stands for and what makes the brand relevant. The car is a response to the clear challenges our society and industry face. This is not a dream of a distant future, Polestar Precept previews future vehicles and shows how we will apply innovation to minimise our environmental impact.”
Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar
Sporting a fastback four-door body, the Precept showcases Polestar’s new design direction which sets the tone for future vehicles with a focus on aerodynamic efficiency. The concept boasts a 3.1-metre wheelbase which accommodates a large battery pack. Thus, this provides vast leg and headroom for passengers in the rear.
Without having the need for heat exchangers, the front grille is replaced by the Polestar SmartZone. The nose end now houses technology for safety sensors and driver assistance functions. The concept also showcases the possibility of having a level 3 or 4 autonomous driving feature in future Polestar cars.
Hidden behind a transparent panel dedicated to intelligent hardware are two radar sensors and a high definition camera. The LIDAR pod, mounted atop the glass roof, is given optimal visibility. The Thor’s Hammer LED headlight signature evolves with separated elements, taking on a dynamic, more robotic and brand-defining interpretation.
Above the SmartZone is an integrated front wing which accelerates airflow over the bonnet. This allows air to attach itself to the surface earlier to improve aerodynamic efficiency and help to extend the vehicle’s range. At the rear, the wide light-blade spans the entire width of the car extending into vertical aero-wings.
Conventional side mirrors are replaced by camera-based units, each of which extends outwards on an aerodynamic arm. And the traditional rear-view mirror is replaced with a digital screen, which the image will be relayed from a wide-angle camera mounted at the rear of the car. Absent is a rear window, which the Precept’s single-volume glass extends behind the rear seats. The tailgate itself is designed with a larger aperture and high mounted hinges for improved access.
The interior features sustainable new materials with reduced environmental impact. Bcomp’s flax-based composites for interior panels and seatbacks offer improvements over conventional materials, including up to 50% saving in weight and up to 80% reduction of plastic waste.
The seat materials are 3D-knitted from recycled PET bottles and the bolsters and headrests are made from recycled cork vinyl, while the carpets are made from reclaimed fishing nets. These new materials could replace leather, wood and chrome in future models.
Precept’s interior concept is not just limited to materials alone. Taking dominance is a portrait-oriented 15-inch centre touch screen, while the 12.5-inch display is for the driver’s eyes only and are linked by an illuminated blade that encompasses the entire interior. Both screens are powered by Android building on Polestar’s close collaboration with Google.
Polestar Precept’s aesthetics are rooted in cutting-edge technology rather than looking back in time at historical, automotive references. At Polestar we see technology as an enabler, as a tool to solve our society’s problems and we translated this attitude into a new set of design principles. The combination of sustainable materials and high-tech smart systems opens an entirely new chapter of avant-garde luxury design and shows where Polestar is heading.Maximilian Missoni, Head of Design at Polestar
