polestar unveils concept EV with focus on sustainability and recycled materials

polestar revealed a new electric concept with a four-seat cabin defined by sustainable materials including recycled cork and plastic bottles. called the precept, the sporty GT is packed with tech including sports radar and LIDAR sensors and eye-tracking technology.

images courtesy of polestar

inside, polestar uses a range of sustainable materials that offer improvements in both weight and waste. they include flax-based composites for panelling and seat backs, seat surfaces 3D-knitted from recycled PET bottles, bolsters and headrests made from recycled cork, and carpets made from reclaimed fishing nets.

the precept, which will be on display at geneva international motor show 2020, showcases the company’s design language whilst signifying polestar as a standalone brand. back in 2017, it became volvo’s sub-brand dedicated to building electric performance cars.

typically minimal in its aesthetic, the precept’s sculpted form define its presence with restrained surfacing and a focus on aerodynamic efficiency. a 3.1-meter wheelbase accommodates a large battery pack that gives the four-door grand tourer a very low and sleek silhouette with an emphasis on leg- and headroom in the rear.

at the front, the grille is replaced by the polestar smartzone, housing technology for safety sensors and driver assistance functions. gathered behind a transparent panel are two radar sensors and a high definition camera assisted by a LIDAR mounted atop the glass roof.

an integrated front wing above the smartzone which accelerates air flow over the long bonnet letting air attach itself to the surface earlier. at the rear, wide light-blade spans the entire width of the car and instead of a conventional rear window, the precept features a single-volume glass roof that extends behind the rear seats.

polestar has replaced side mirrors with camera-based units that extend outwards on aerodynamic arms. meanwhile inside, the traditional rear-view mirror is replaced with a digital screen connected to a wide-angle camera at the rear.

the precept runs a powerful android-based HMI on a tablet-style 15-in infotainment touchscreen and 12.5-in driver display. working together with eye-tracking and proximity sensors, it allows the car to monitor the driver’s gaze and adjust the content of the various screens accordingly.

‘precept is a declaration, a vision of what polestar stands for and what makes the brand relevant,’ comments thomas ingenlath, CEO of polestar. ‘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.’