Polestar O2 a future flagship

Boss gives strong hints that its new convertible EV concept will make production

- JAMES ATTWOOD

The new Polestar O2 concept has been unveiled as a stunning electric roadster that imagines a future ‘hero car’ for the brand – and boss Thomas Ingenlath has said it would be “irresponsible” not to push to put it into production.

It is based on an adapted version of the aluminium architecture that has been developed by Polestar’s UK engineering base in Warwickshire for the 5 sports saloon and that, the firm has said, offers “supercar levels” of body stiffness.

The O2 takes design cues from the Precept concept – which previewed the 5, due in 2024 – and Ingenlath said it was developed with two goals: further reinforcing Polestar’s image as a “luxury sports brand” and pushing internal development.

Asked by Autocar if the O2 will lead to a production version, Ingenlath said: “From packaging and how it’s constructed, it’s possible to put such a car in production.” He added: “Our concept cars breed that spirit of being tangible and realistic.”

Polestar has yet to release full technical details of the O2, but the car will use the performance powertrain that appeared in the Precept and will enter production in the 5.

The O2, which features a fixed retracting roof, is substantially shorter than the 5, at around 4600mm long, with the wheelbase shrunk by around 400mm. This has been achieved by removing the ‘foot garage’ – a well in the skateboard chassis floor of the 5 to increase rear leg room – from the platform. Polestar claims that this will allow the model to maintain huge rigidity, to the benefit of its dynamics.