Polestar launched the Polestar 4, the second SUV in its lineup, at Auto Shanghai 2023. Truly, it’s technically an SUV coupé, which means it has the house and 4 doorways of an SUV, however the sloping roof and aerodynamics of a coupé.
The Polestar 4 has loads of new specs that make it flip heads, however essentially the most daring design selection has obtained to be the shortage of a rear-view mirror. As a substitute, drivers will have a look at screens of their cabin when reversing, which can show a real-time feed from a roof-mounted rear digicam.
The Volvo spinoff says this offers the motive force a wider discipline of view than they might get simply by looking the again window. It’s also sure to offer some drivers anxiousness. What occurs if a rock breaks that digicam, or if the feed glitches and stops working? No rear window means no backup in case of tech challenges, so Polestar should be fairly assured in what it’s bringing to the streets.
The corporate says there’s a design rationale for the choice to nix the rear window, and that it was first examined with the Polestar Principle idea automobile.
“With Polestar Principle, we previewed a shocking new occupant expertise by eradicating the rear window and pushing the learn header, which performs an integral security function, additional again,” mentioned Maximilian Missoni, head of design at Polestar, in a press release. “Because of this now, rear occupants can have a singular expertise in our SUV coupé.”
The elimination of the rear window additionally permits for an extended glass roof that stretches past the rear occupants’ heads. The glass roof can include electrochromic performance, or sensible glass, which may change to be clear or opaque relying on the occupants’ wants.
The Polestar 4 has the spaciousness of an SUV and the sloping roof of a coupe. Picture Credit: Polestar
From the surface, the automobile has a swiftness to it. The door handles are retractable and the frameless home windows are flush with the physique of the automobile. The low nostril provides it the aerodynamics wanted to make this the quickest manufacturing mannequin Polestar has produced but — it could actually go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.8 seconds and has a most energy output of 544 hp.
The Polestar 4 will likely be obtainable in each dual- and single-motor variations. The twin-motor model can have semi-active suspension options so it hits sporty efficiency with out sacrificing consolation.
Each long-range variations will function a 102 kWh battery, and the twin motor has a goal vary of 350 miles. All variations stand up to 200 kW DC and 22 kW AC charging, and bi-directional charging can be included for vehicle-to-load capabilities.
The Polestar 4 will launch first in China, with manufacturing deliberate in November 2023 for a Geely-owned manufacturing facility in Hangzhou Bay that runs on renewable vitality.
Polestar plans to launch in different markets, together with Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, in early 2024.
The Polestar 4 will likely be priced someplace between the two and three, at round $60,000.
Polestar 4 tech specs
Drivers can entry the Polestar 4’s sensible infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Google merchandise by way of a 15.4-inch display. Picture Credit: Polestar
Like all new EVs immediately, the Polestar 4 is full of tech and inching slowly towards that just-out-of-reach aim of an “autonomous future.”
The automobile’s infotainment system is powered by Android Automotive OS and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Cockpit Platform, which may be accessed by way of a 15.4-inch display up entrance.
Apple CarPlay is included and Google is built-in, together with Google Assistant, Maps and Play. So drivers can say issues like “Hey Google, drive me to the closest charging station,” or “Hey Google, play ‘Despacito,’” and instructions or melodies will come streaming out of the Harman Kardon audio system, which is offered as a 12-speaker possibility.
There’s additionally a secondary media and local weather management display mounted between the entrance seats for rear occupants to mess around with.
However wait! There’s extra! Screens, that’s. There are extra screens, as a result of we don’t have already got sufficient screens in our lives.
A ten.2-inch driver show is mounted forward of the steering wheel and reveals you pace, battery and vary info. It may additionally present you different highway customers, present driving help features and navigation info. If that’s too distracting, there’s additionally head-up show (which is principally a display in your windshield) with a 14.7-inch projection space that offers the motive force “key car, telephony and navigation info,” based on Polestar. When it’s snowing, the HUD textual content coloration will change from white to yellow to enhance visibility.
Polestar makes use of Mobileye’s SuperVision superior driver help system (ADAS), which depends on 12 cameras, one radar and 12 ultrasonic sensors. Homeowners will pay further for the Pilot Pack, which incorporates lane change help.
To make sure that the motive force doesn’t overly depend on the ADAS or go to sleep on the wheel, the Polestar 4 features a driver monitoring digicam that screens the motive force’s eyes and head actions. That and hands-on detection within the steering wheel preserve the motive force actively engaged.
