The Polestar O2 is a 2+2 roadster, with a built-in autonomous camera drone. Images: Polestar

Polestar has pulled the covers of a new concept car, named the Polestar O2. An electric 2+2 roadster based on a bespoke aluminium platform, this hard-top convertible is Polestar’s hero car, and a vision for how sports cars will embrace an electric future.

“Polestar O2 is the hero car for our brand,” comments Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. “It opens the door to our secret chamber of future potential. This is a taste of what we can design and engineer with the talent and technology we have in-house. It looks incredible, and being able to lower the roof and not hear an engine promises a superb sensation.”

Exterior design of the Polestar O2

Sharing exterior design cues with the Polestar Precept (it’s face is a pleasing mix of established brand elements, and just a hint of McLaren) the Polestar O2 is even more dramatic and aggressive, with pronounced cuts, vents, intakes and body panels. There are disguised design features like integrated ducts that improve laminar air flow over the wheels and body sides, and the rear lights that function as air blades to reduce turbulence behind the car.

Technology and Sustainability

The Polestar O2 is also about demonstrating that the brand is tech-forward, and environmentally conscious; a new thermoplastic single base material is used to manufacture different components, and recycled polyester is the sole material used for all the soft components of the interior including foam, adhesive, woven fibres and non-woven lamination.

Within the chassis, different grades of aluminium are labelled, allowing them to be recycled more effectively and for their properties to be retained for future use. High grade aluminium remains high grade, while other grades maintain their varied characteristics, allowing for greater material efficiency and a lower requirement for virgin aluminium. Polestar has built its brand on sustainability and the pursuit of a carbon-neutral, recyclable car, and any advances made in the O2 manufacturing process will undoubtedly (eventually) filter down to the brand’s volume sellers.

Polestar says the driving experience in the Polestar O2 is designed to be “lively, light and full of confidence”. Designers are aiming for tight body control, high rigidity and intuitive dynamics; traits that the company says are inherent benefits of the bespoke bonded aluminium platform which is adapted from the Polestar 5, but traits that are often elusive for a heavy battery electric vehicle.

The high quality and rigidity of the bonded aluminium platform are geared towards heightened dynamic response. Handling dynamics are taut thanks also to small roll angles and high roll damping, and the agile, direct steering feel is linear, with great steering torque build-up.

Did you say the Polestar O2 has a built in drone?

For the content creation generation, Polestar engineers have integrated an autonomous cinematic drone developed in conjunction with Aerofugia’s consumer electronics brand Hoco Flow. It’s the perfect accessory for when you’re cruising between Cannes and Antibes on the French Riviera (assuming you don’t run into any other Polestar O2 drivers creating their next viral video)

Of course it’s not “just” a drone; Polestar engineers have developed a specialised aerofoil that raises behind the rear seats to create a calm area of negative pressure that allows the drone to take off when the car is on the move. it operates autonomously, automatically following the car at speeds up to 90 km/h, and after filming, the drone can autonomously return to the car. Video clips can be edited and shared directly from the 15-inch centre display when the car is parked.

“We wanted to emphasise the experience you can have with a car like the Polestar O2 in new and unusual ways,” continues Maximilian Missoni. “Integrating an autonomous cinematic drone was something that allowed us to push the boundaries on the innovation front. Not needing to stop and off-load the drone before filming, but rather deploying it at speed, is a key benefit to this innovative design.”

While the Polestar O2 is still a few years away from Production, the company is expected to launch the US-built Polestar 3 SUV in 2023, and two additional models by 2025. There will be some changes from this striking concept no doubt, but if the automaker’s intentions to retain the best bits of the Precept Concept in the production version of the Polestar 5 are anything to go by, the Polestar O2 will still be an incredible vehicle when it hits the road.