Polestar’ssecond concept vehicle, a jaw-dropping show car the firm bills as its “vision of open-top performance”, will go into production as the Polestar 6. Let’s take a closer look…

UPDATE: Polestar has confirmed plans to put its O2 electric roadster concept into production, badged as the Polestar 6 and scheduled for launch in 2026. The Swedish firm says interested customers in “all active Polestar markets” are already able to reserve a build slot online.

“With the overwhelming consumer and press response, we took the decision to put this stunning roadster into production and I am so excited to make it a reality. Polestar 6 is a perfect combination of powerful electric performance and the thrill of fresh air with the top down,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO.

The production version of the hard-top convertible will be built on Polestar’s bespoke bonded aluminium platform and will feature the 800-volt electric architecture already confirmed for Polestar 5. This includes outputs of “up to 650 kW and 900 Nm” from a dual-motor powertrain, with a “targeted” 0-100 kph time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h.

The reveal of the Polestar O2 concept

Think the world needs a beautiful battery-powered roadster? Well, you’re in luck. Meet the new Polestar O2 concept, an all-electric, hard-top convertible the company claims will “redefine sports roadsters for the electric age”.

It’s the second concept car from Polestar – a brand founded by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding in 2017 as a standalone Swedish premium electric vehicle automaker – with the first having been unwrapped in 2020.

The Polestar O2 is clearly closely related to its Precept forebear, though certainly bears its own distinct visual character. Housing a compact 2+2 cabin, the body is low and wide with minimal overhangs and a lengthy wheelbase, lending it classic sports car proportions.

The Swedish automaker says it manipulated the concept’s aerodynamics in a bid to maximise range, employing design features such integrated ducts to improve air flow over the wheels, and rear lights that function as air blades to reduce turbulence at the rear of the vehicle.

While Polestar has opted not to release details about the concept’s all-electric powertrain, it does say the O2 concept rides on a bespoke bonded aluminium platform that was adapted from the upcoming Polestar 5. The result, according to the company, is a “lively” driving experience that mixes “playfulness” and “tight body control”.

Inside, you’ll find a new thermoplastic mono-material and plenty of recycled polyester, all in the name of sustainability. Furthermore, the concept features an autonomous cinematic drone integrated behind the rear seats. The idea, according to Polestar, is to deploy said drone while the vehicle is moving (it’ll automatically follow the car at speeds up to 90 kph), allowing the user to record the “perfect driving sequence”.

“Polestar O2 is the hero car for our brand. It opens the door to our secret chamber of future potential. This is a taste of what we can design and engineer with the talent and technology we have in-house. It looks incredible, and being able to lower the roof and not hear an engine promises a superb sensation,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO.

The Gothenburg-based automaker has thus far produced two electric performance cars, though neither has made it to South African shores. The Polestar 1 hybrid was built between 2019 and 2021 as a low-volume GT with a carbon-fibre body, before the Polestar 2 all-electric fastback went into production.

Polestar says it plans to launch one new electric vehicle every year for the next three years, starting with the Polestar 3 all-electric SUV in 2022. The Polestar 4 is expected to follow in 2023, billed as a smaller electric performance SUV coupé. In 2024, we can expect to see the Polestar 5 electric performance 4-door GT, which will effectively be the production version of the Polestar Precept concept.