electromobility
Polestar shows electric roadster as a study with autonomous drone on board
The Polestar O2
© Polestar
Polestar has introduced an electric roadster that is no ordinary car in two ways: the O2 is a convertible equipped with an autonomous drone. The idea of the concept car is set to become a reality in future Polestar models.
With the Polestar 1 and 2, Volvo’s luxury electric brand Polestar has only two models on the market so far. However, the company, which was only founded in 2017, wants to catch up in the future and has now presented a quite extraordinary concept vehicle with the O2.
The electrically powered roadster is a convertible version with an autonomous video drone integrated into the vehicle behind the rear seats. The concept drone can be used while driving “to record the perfect driving sequence,” it says.
As a result, one wing rises and an area of negative pressure is created so that the drone can take off. It automatically follows the car at a speed of up to 90 km/h. The driver can choose between an atmospheric sequence or a more action-packed sequence with a sportier expression. After filming, the drone returns to the car. When the vehicle is parked, the video clips can be edited and shared via the 15-inch center display.
“Hero Car of our brand”
Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath describes the Polestar O2 as the brand’s “hero car”. “It gives a sense of the extent of our potential and what we can design and develop with the talent and technology we have in-house.”
The concept vehicle is a two-seater with two additional jump seats on the rear bench and is based on an aluminum platform that the manufacturers promise “tight body control, high rigidity and intuitive dynamics”. It was taken from the Polestar 5 (market launch 2025) and developed by its research and development team in the UK. The demand for new aluminum is lower.
The interior of the vehicle is therefore also sustainable. Because it consists of new thermoplastic monomaterial. Polestar says all soft interior components have been made from recycled polyester. This simplifies recycling and is an important step towards the circular economy. Weight and waste are therefore reduced. In addition, the different materials are marked, which should simplify recycling.
Future models are said to include Polestar O2 ideas
The O2 is similar to the Polestar Precept concept vehicle presented in November, but has “a character all of its own”. “It shows how Polestar’s evolving design language can be adapted to suit different body styles while maintaining a strong family resemblance,” the automaker said. The proportions of the Polestar O2 are like those of a classic sports car, “but with a distinctly modern, electric style.” Thanks to improved aerodynamics, Polestar promises a longer range.
Polestar did not give any further details about the O2. The model will probably appear with an all-wheel drive with more than 400 hp and, unlike the Volvo vehicles, will not be locked at 180 km/h. However, it is unlikely that the O2 will be launched in this way. However, Polestar plans to introduce three new models from 2022. These are intended to gradually implement some of the ideas presented in the Polestar Precept and Polestar O2 concept vehicles.
Few electric cars as a convertible version on the market
The open roof is typical of a roadster, i.e. the convertible. The number of registered convertibles has fallen significantly in recent years. The vehicle models are also rare among electric cars. With the EQ fortwo, Smart has a convertible model for sale. Fiat also offers the 500 model as a convertible. Citroen launched the E-Mehari as a convertible version in 2018. However, the model is no longer on the market.
Nissan had already shown a convertible in 2018 to celebrate 100,000 Leaf models sold. However, it was only a concept vehicle that did not come onto the market. With the “Max-Out” at the end of November, the Japanese car manufacturer once again presented an electrically driven concept vehicle with a convertible roof.
The Tesla Roadster was the US automaker’s first vehicle in 2008. Its production ended in 2012. In November 2017, CEO Elon Musk presented a second model of the Roadster with a removable glass roof. The model is scheduled to hit the market in 2023. In addition, VW is considering releasing the ID.3 as a convertible.