Future Polestar Electric Cars: 6 Ways They Won’t Just Be Reworked Volvos

Don’t think of Polestar as Volvo’s M or AMG. While Polestar similarly established itself by amplifying performance of regular cars, its future will be markedly different. No longer will it be only an in-house tuner: Less constrained by tradition than those others, it will branch away as a distinct brand with its own vehicles, designs, and philosophies. While Polestar and Volvo will continue to collaborate, “they will divide further and further, and this is just a starting point for a whole lineup from the brand.”

That’s according to Maximillian Missoni as he explains the Polestar 2. Volvo’s former head of design now holds that position at Polestar, and he walked us around the Polestar 1 and 2 for an in-depth discussion of those vehicles’ styling, features, and significance for the young marque’s future. Here’s what we learned.

What do you even call this thing?

In photos, the Polestar 2 presents an unusual shape. It’s not a crossover, but seems higher-riding and more slab-sided than a sedan. In person, though, it’s fairly conventional, with nice presence and poise despite the slightly higher roofline. The big wheels, creased wheel arch liner, and gap between the tire and body all play into the visual trick to make it seem taller. “We call it a fastback,” says Missoni. “We think that’s a really good sweet spot. It combines a higher seating position so the driver can look over the road better, with a hatchback-like shape so there’s a lot of space to load into.” Indeed, the rear decklid and window open as one to reveal a good-sized cargo area; a small frunk has just enough space for a charge cable.

To badge or not to badge

Notice how the badges are color-matched to the paint. Unlike some performance automakers, who seem to slather their logo on every conceivable surface, Polestar takes an intentionally low-key approach to signifying itself. “This is one of those more philosophical standpoints that we take when it comes to minimalism,” explains Missoni. “Yes, we are a new brand, yes, it would be useful for us to shout our logo out, but we want to keep the sculpture itself to speak for itself.” The business sense of that tactic of brand recognition is yet to be proven, but no doubt it’s clean and refreshing. That said, the four-spoke wheels are a subtle tie-in to the Polestar insignia, and vehicles will wear a small decal on the front fenders to denote key powertrain information.

Same thing but different

At first glance, the Polestar 2 seems recognizably Volvo. Yet the closer you look, distinguishing features become more evident (it also helps to have its designer standing next to you). Of the design language he’s developing for Polestar, Missoni says “It’s going to be all about purity, strong themes, and contrast.” Set next to the P1800-inspired Polestar 1, the 2 seems more rigid, angular, and direct, with less curvature or fluidity. Pointing at the black bar below the grille, Missoni explains “these are details you can trace and understand. Volvo is more swooshy and emotional, while Polestar will be graphical, contained, and logical.” Of the grille itself, which currently serves as a clear Volvo tie-in, Missoni hints it might eventually go away altogether—after all, for electric vehicles, there’s less need for one.

Lighting the way

Head and taillights don’t simply provide illumination. They’re key signifiers which can tie a lineup together across models and body styles That’ll be no different at Polestar—sort of. The double C-shaped wraparound taillight which debuted on the 2 is quite different from the individual lamps seen on the 1. Missoni confirms this will become a signature Polestar design element, saying, “It’s something to show the departure from Volvo; where the two brands will deviate by the rear signature.” Up front, however, Volvo has earned recognition with its Thor’s Hammer LED headlights. “It’s such a strong differentiator from the rest of the industry that we want to keep leveraging the strong impact this light makes. It’s a good thing for us.” As such, those will remain to tie the brands together.

Cruelty-free luxury

What is luxury? It’s largely subjective, and Polestar is breaking down the word as it decides how to appoint its cars. To that end, the standard interior of the Polestar 2 will be entirely leather-free—vegan, in fact. “It’s equal parts a design decision and an ethical decision,” says Missoni. “The goal is for a next-generation premium feeling, one that doesn’t need to copy history. Even the idea to emulate leather wasn’t appropriate, so we designed our upholsteries to look much more technical and precise.” His team looked to scuba diving equipment and high-end Swedish sportswear for inspiration. Indeed, the interior looks and feels posh; other non-leather details, like matte-finish wood veneers and knurled metallic switchgear, elevate panache further. Still, Polestar will offer a leather interior option for those who prefer a more traditional aesthetic.

Too good to notice

Brands strive to create breakout designs or features that elevate them above the rest. Sometimes, though, those can impact the user experience when, for example, dramatic form factor limits headroom or ultra-adjustable seats are too fussy to be practical. Polestar wants its wow-factor feature to be so good no one even notices. Of its Google-developed infotainment interface, Missoni says “That’s the amazing thing here—because it’s so normal, because people will use it like their phone. For the first time it’s not some mysterious, different UI or UX. It’s exactly what they’re used to from their everyday devices.” Between zero-stress user interfaces, outstanding Swedish design, and smooth electric power, Polestar is aiming for the cosmos as it prepares the 2 and beyond.

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