2023 Polestar 5 previewed – Precept Concept’s production-ready realisation is coming
This is the Polestar 5, rival to the Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron GT and Tesla Model S
Swedish EV upstart Polestar has revealed new information about its forthcoming four-door GT, the Polestar 5. Due to go on sale in 2024, this uncharacteristically early glimpse of the new model shows a clear line from the Precept Concept that debuted in 2020, revealing that the production model will very closely resemble the sleek concept.
The new Polestar 5 will be based on a new-generation flexible SPA2 platform that’ll first go on to underpin the Polestar 3, a large SUV due next year. This new architecture has been co-developed by Volvo, but when used for Polestar vehicles will be exclusively available in pure-electric form with the use of a bespoke floor. Final dimensions have not been revealed, but we expect it’ll rival cars like the Porsche Taycan, Audi e-Tron GT and Tesla Model S.
To do that, the Polestar 5’s Precept-derived design looks just as sharp as the concept’s, with only the most subtle of changes visible. The proportions are the first thing that look accurate, with a long bonnet, wheelbase and sloping roofline. This proportion set is not unusual in the world of modern electric cars, the Tesla Model S introduced the look as far back as 2009, but for one key element that’s visible from the image – the complete lack of a rear screen.
Instead, as in the concept the Polestar 5 has a scalloped panel that sits below a rear-view camera and wide third brake light, all forming an opening that’ll give access to the rear luggage compartment. The shape of the rear panel suggests this will be one large opening, with no obvious room for a traditional saloon-like boot opening as is used on the Taycan or e-tron GT. To overcome the lack of rearward visibility, Polestar will utilise a rear-facing camera as is found on a growing number of modern cars, unlocking this potential to do away with a traditional rear screen.
Polestar’s interpretation of a classic Kamm tail is also in full show, with a convex curvature to the entire rear end that’s framed at the leading edge with a full-width three-sided lighting element. This is all accentuated with broad and confident surfacing that carefully manages the volumes by integrating lots of curvature, but without any flab.
Other elements have also been directly brought over from the Precept, including the compact split headlights which are driven by a new interpretation of the Thor’s Hammer headlight graphic, while the grille has been replaced entirely, now forming both a home for the concept’s safety sensors and driving assistance functions. There’s also a small slip vent integrated into that same space which attaches air to its body, forcing it up and over the windscreen – a similar trick to that found on the Jaguar I-Pace.
As well as previewing Polestar 5’s exterior, the Precept Concept also gives us a glimpse at the future interior design, this time mimicking the Polestar 2 a little more closely with plenty of concept-car glitter applied. The interior is dominated by a portrait-layout touchscreen interface that now floats from the multi-material, wing-shaped dash. Not dissimilar to that in the Tesla Model 3, Polestar’s inclusion of a second driver display mounted behind the steering wheel keeps it from being quite as stark as the Tesla’s cabin, so too the multi-level centre console. The Precept Concept’s Android-designed user interface is much closer to production though, and has already been applied to the Polestar 2, and will be utilised on the Polestar 5 production car.
Technical details are still yet to be confirmed, but it’s almost certain to utilise a lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor that’ll reside on either one or both axles. The Polestar’s unique floor will house the battery pack under the main cabin. Power and performance outputs are also far too early to say, but given the performance expected of its very capable rivals, it’ll need to be quick to keep up.
While there’s still a long way to go until it reaches showrooms, the Polestar 5 will follow a path already taken by Tesla and Porsche in establishing that consumers are willing to diverge from the SUV template that currently seems to be holding the entire marketplace hostage. With the Taycan and Audi e-tron currently on a long waiting list, and bespoke EV startups like Lucid about to come on the scene, Polestar looks ready to take on the big players.
