Polestar showcar Precept to make it into the series
Polestar announced that the Polestar Precept concept presented earlier this year would go into production. CEO Thomas Ingenlath said it would take “at least three years” before the company can begin producing the fully electric four-door Grand Tourer.
With the Polestar Precept, the Volvo premium brand provided a taste of future electric models of the brand a few months ago. Announced for the Geneva Motor Show in February, the Chinese-Swedish company decided to make the presentation of the premium concept in April virtual after having to cancel the live show. Polestar did not provide any technical specifications at the time and has not updated any data on the drive system so far either. Ingenlath, however, provided a few clues as to where the car’s strengths lie.
The most prominent announcement: Polestar Precept is not meant to remain as it is, as the model is still a long way from being ready for production. This is mainly because Polestar decided to produce the battery-electric vehicle only made after they completed the concept: “[…]the public said, ‘We want it’, so we decided to build it,” explains Ingenlath. And: “This isn’t fake: it was built as a show car, but our engineers have done the research and found ways to construct it and do it. It’s an ambitious project, but we wanted to make it our next big project.”
However, this model will not be heading towards high-volume series production. Ingenlath also hinted that it won’t be a limited edition like the Polestar 1 either, aiming for something in between. He calls the Polestar 3 electric SUV planned for next year a better volume car than a sports car like the Precept with a limited audience.
And what is known about the latter so far? The Precept is 3.1 meters long, making it 150 mm longer than a Tesla Model S. It should be able to accommodate a large battery as well as provide sufficient head and legroom at the back. Inside find a 15-inch central touchscreen and a 12.5-inch digital instrument display. On the software side, the Grand Tourer features the brand’s next-generation Android-based infotainment system.
As already mentioned, Polestar makes no technical specifications for the drive system. In a video published earlier by Polestar, a display with a range of 500 kilometres can be seen after all with 80 per cent charge level. That would give a total range of 625 kilometres.
Overall, Polestar emphasised sustainability. Using aerodynamic tricks (not only the omission of the classic exterior mirrors), but the designers also aim to reduce air resistance, and more eco-materials are finding their way into the interior. Linings and backrests are made of flax-based composite materials (according to Polestar, 50 per cent lighter and 80 per cent less plastic waste), and they use recycled materials are used for seats and upholstery. For example, PET bottles, cork vinyl and fishing nets are to replace leather, wood and chrome.
Ingenlath explains that the Precept will be manufactured in a new plant in China that is to operate on a climate-neutral basis. “China is a home market for Polestar, and we recognise the increasingly important drive for greater sustainability here,” says the Polestar boss. “With this new factory, we will again raise the bar, aiming to produce the most advanced and premium electric car in China with the lowest carbon footprint”.
As far as the name of the production-version Precept is concerned, the model will, according to the manufacturer, be included in the number-based nomenclature. It is therefore quite possible that the Grand Tourer will make it to market as Polestar 4. The Polestar 3 performance SUV is expected to be launched at the end of 2021.
0 Comments