Polestar, the Swedish subsidiary of Chinese manufacturer Geely has digitally revealed their next concept, the Precept. This concept basically showcases three key areas of the Swedish brand, namely sustainability, digital technology and design. Polestar is electric only brand developed by Geely. However, the cars would be built in Sweden and the brand is being promoted as the Swedish car. The brand is being promoted with values such as pure, progressive and performance. The name Precept showcases the intent behind the concept as a Precept is a manifesto of things to come.
The interiors of the shows how high-tech, sustainable materials used together in the right combination can create a new luxury design language. The interiors represent a vegan interior with high levels of recycled content. Polestar has used flax-based natural composite extensively to replace many virgin plastics generally used in car interiors. This has led to a 50% reduction in weight of the car as well as 80% reduction in the use of plastics. Polestar has entered into technical arrangement with Bcomp to develop and use several composite structures which reduce vibrations by up to 250% and perform better during an impact. Taking the sustainability factor ahead, the Polestar’s seat covers are 3D-knitted from 100% recycled PET bottles in a single thread which are made exactly to size to avoid ant wastage or off-cuts. Even the headlining textile is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles while carpets are woven from Nylon 6, recovered from reclaimed fishing nets. Polestar has used waste and recycled cork from the wine industry to produce cork-based vinyl for seat bolsters and head rests.
On the digital front, the car is installed with an evolution of the Android based infotainment system used on the Polestar 2. The car has a large 15-inch digital interface which recognises the driver as she approaches. The system authenticates the person, her settings and personal content using the Polestar Digital Key. The Google assistant installed in the car has learnt several additional languages along with local dialect interpretation for a better personalised experience. When the car is parked or charging, the 15″ digital interface will make digital video streaming available to minimise the pain of the wait while also ensuring safety of the driver and occupants.
The car has an array of digital gizmos including proximity sensors which adjust what is shown on the screen depending on where the user’s hand is placed. They also adjust the display brightness as well as the screen content according to movements and also the need for more or less information depending on what the user is doing. In addition to the 15″ display, the car comes with a 9″ driver display which shows vital information and is linked to eye tracking which monitors where the driver is looking and adjusts the way information is presented. For example, the system provides smaller and more detailed information when the driver is focused on the display, but larger, brighter, vital information when she is focused on the road ahead. The Polestar Precept has Google Maps and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) are merged into one system for safer manoeuvres and more accurate predictions based on traffic conditions. They information is shown as one combined graphic in the driver display.
The car follows a restrained design design but displays powerful surface finishes and aerodynamics. The car has front wing, integrated into the bonnet to improves air flow by reducing turbulence over the rest of the body. This is very important for increasing EV range. There are air ducts behind the front wheels to allow for a laminar flow of air while ducts in the rear wheel arches allow for better cooling of the brakes. Taking the functionality of the design further, the 22-inch performance wheels are forged and machined, and feature aerodynamic inserts. The Polestar Precept carries on its Volvo legacy with the signature Thor’s hammer front lights. The tail lamps, of “farewell light” as Polestar likes to call them, are inspired by astronomical events, starting in a burst of light from the centre of the car which radiates outwards.
The front grille of IC engine cars has been replaced with a SmartZone which holds in place elements required for Pilot Assist including long- and mid-range radar units, ultrasonic sensors and a high-definition wide-angle camera. The car also comes fitted with additional SmartZones on either side of the car which house additional driving assistance sensors. The Polestar Precept comes with a useful display, LED side markers on the C-pillars, which indicate charging status of the car. The car has wide opening doors for easy access and that includes suicide doors for the rear passenger. The car has a long wheelbase to accommodate high capacity battery and also provides lots of interior space despite a low roof line. The batteries are placed beneath the floor without intruding into the rear passenger footwells providing a flat interior floor.
Polestar has done away with rear view mirrors in the Precept which have been replaced with side and rear facing cameras which feed to the digital interior mirrors.
The Transport Journal 