When no rear window makes for a greater automotive
Final yr, Polestar introduced its most sensible EV but within the Polestar 4. However this week, in the course of the automobile’s North American debut on the New York Worldwide Auto Present, we lastly bought an official launch worth and an opportunity to take a look at its most controversial characteristic.
Positioned as a barely smaller and extra reasonably priced model of the Polestar 3, the corporate’s newest EV SUV has loads driving on it because it seems to be Polestar’s most interesting mainstream providing so far. The excellent news is that whereas the associated fee was initially mentioned to be round $60,000, launch pricing really is available in barely under that. The Polestar 4 begins at $56,300 (together with vacation spot) for the usual long-range single-motor model with round 300 miles of vary whereas the dual-motor AWD variant with round 270 miles will set you again $64,300.
Granted, that’s nonetheless considerably greater than a lot of its rivals together with the Tesla Mannequin Y which begins at $43,900 (earlier than federal incentives) or the Hyundai Ioniq 5 at $47,400. However after speaking to Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath, I bought the sense that the corporate is type of OK with that, as they view the 4 as a extra approachable however nonetheless very premium providing amongst EV SUVs.
On the surface, the Polestar 4 retains the rakish attractiveness we’ve seen on its bigger sibling however with a couple of twists. Its nostril is a bit pointier and extra sloped, and it’s a bit easier too because it doesn’t have a entrance wing like the three. The Polestar 4 continues to be primarily based on the low-slung coupe-like SUV form that’s all the fad proper now. Nevertheless, to make sure that rear-seat passengers have ample room, Polestar has forgone a rear window solely, opting as an alternative for a easy sheet of metallic together with cameras and a rearview mirror with an embedded show.
At first, this may appear to be a step too far, even for an EV which may not be beholden to the identical burden of custom as fuel vehicles. However Ingenlath defined that there are a number of benefits that come from this design change. By not having a rear window, Polestar was in a position to push the rear seats again additional whereas sustaining ample headroom regardless of the sloping roofline, which creates a spacious cabin. I had no hassle climbing out and in and even with the entrance seats pushed way back to attainable, I nonetheless had ample legroom within the again. Moreover, in contrast to most vehicles, the Polestar 4’s rear seats can recline, which provides much more of a loungey really feel.
One other main benefit is considered one of practicality. As it’s, the rear home windows on a number of coupe SUVs are so small they don’t present a lot in the way in which of helpful visibility. And that’s earlier than you take into account any passengers or baggage which may additional impede your view. By changing the rear window and mirror with a digital camera and a show, the Polestar 4 can supply an unobstructed perspective out of the again of the automotive. However maybe most significantly, the concept of a automotive not having a rear window isn’t actually remarkable, as there are literally thousands of cargo vans on the street right this moment and not using a viewport in again.
So whereas the concept may nonetheless appear nerve-wracking, Ingenlath stays assured. He merely requested clients to “strive it.” He added “There’s a lot about psychology and other people being naturally opposed to vary. However innovation is about asking what have been the foundations previously that do not essentially should be the foundations sooner or later.”
The corporate’s Scandinavian heritage exhibits via with a streamlined inside. That mentioned, Ingenlath mentioned the aim isn’t minimalism for minimalism’s sake. By creating a brand new material constructed from recycled plastic bottles referred to as Gentle Tech, Polestar was in a position to line the cabin with a sustainable 3D materials that enables ambient lighting to shine via whereas nonetheless being fairly sturdy. Up prime, the mounted glass roof is electrochromic, which permits it to modify from clear to opaque with the contact of a button.
One factor that caught out to me was that like all of Polestar’s automobiles, the 4 appears like a designer’s automotive. As somebody who bought his begin within the trade creating vehicles for VW, Audi and others earlier than changing into the CEO of Polestar, Ingenlath mentioned the corporate actually cares about small particulars just like the font and typography. You may see this in issues just like the textual content on the motive force’s aspect door, which options each the title of the automotive and the dimensions of its battery, leading to a label that’s each fairly and informative. Alternatively, there are options just like the ambient lighting, which makes use of a naming customary primarily based on planets within the photo voltaic system (blue with a touch of inexperienced for Earth, pink for Mars, and so forth.). Ingenlath mentioned “We merely love what we’re doing, and we love indulging that zeal. And we’ve got to seek out the individuals who share the identical ardour for that sort of high quality and know-how.”
Sadly, we haven’t had the prospect to take the 4 out for a drive simply but. However because the competitors amongst EVs continues to extend, it’s clear Polestar is carving out a distinct segment as a producer that embraces innovation via its automobiles. With pre-orders going reside someday in April and deliveries slated for This fall 2024, it shouldn’t be lengthy till we get an opportunity to expertise how the Polestar 4 feels on the street.
