The Polestar 4 Gets Big Power but No Back Window
Though it’s a bit more adventurous and sporty than its parent company, Polestar’s designs haven’t drastically strayed from Volvo’s calming look. That’s changing – albeit slightly – for 2024, with the introduction of the Polestar 4. The coupe-SUV features a concept car look, including a large solid panel where the back window should be.
Polestar offers two powertrains, including a single-motor rear-drive variant with 272 horsepower and a 373-mile range estimate on the WLTP cycle. The dual-motor version delivers 544 horsepower and a range estimate of 348 miles, and Polestar claims a 3.8-second 0-60 mph time. Bi-directional charging is standard, allowing the Polestar 4 to charge other EVs and external power equipment.
The elephant in the room with the exterior design is that Polestar left off the rear window. Instead, the cabin features a high-definition screen that features a wide-view display of the rear of the vehicle. Polestar said the feed could be deactivated to allow the front passenger to see people in the back.
Polestar increased its use of sustainable and recycled materials and said the new upholstery material is made from 100 percent recycled polyester. The carpets were made using recycled plastic, and other plastics incorporate more recycled material instead of introducing new plastic to the manufacturing process. The automaker said it designed the interior with more common base materials to reduce waste.
A 15.4-inch touchscreen comes standard, running on Google’s Android Automotive OS. The update brings Google built-in services, including Maps, Assistant, and the Google Play app store. A 1,400-watt, 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system is available, and the 4 comes standard with Apple CarPlay.
Polestar retains Volvo’s heavy focus on vehicle safety, and the 4 gets several advanced driver aids. It comes with 12 cameras, a dozen ultrasonic sensors, and interior cameras for driver monitoring. Polestar said it does not collect the interior video, noting that it’s only used to make sure the driver is paying attention.
[Image: Polestar]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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The problem with this, or with rearview mirror LCD displays while the car is underway, is physics.
You eye focuses differently when looking at a screen than when looking at images in a mirror. When you take your eyes off the road to look in a mirror, the focal length can stay the same - not so with a screen.
Essentially, you force people to quickly go from distance to near and then back to distance every time they want to see what's behind them. Meanwhile, Millennials are just about to start hitting that age when they have to move their glasses to read a menu.
Instead of showing you the outside, here is a picture of what's outside. Volvo has really lost it's way as this is in no way safe.