Polestar’s New SUV Chucks Out The Rear Window For A High-Def Screen Instead

You might think that the rear window in a car is as invaluable to a vehicle as the wheels or engine are. On the other hand, Polestar believes otherwise and has devised a novel way to revamp the driving experience. The Swedish automaker has taken the rear window and chucked it out for a high-definition screen instead for its incoming Polestar 4.

According to Polestar, one of the main reasons it has done this is to create an even more immersive cabin. With the new trend of infotainment systems being more capable than ever, going as far as to even add video gaming, this further uptake in the car market has been steering towards a more intuitive drive. But is taking out something as important as the rear window a move customers can get behind?

Drivers will now be tasked with looking at screens in the cabin while on the roads, delivering a real-time feed from a roof-mounted rear camera. While some cars already offer footage of the surroundings while reversing, having the ability to still look through the rear mirror and out the back of the vehicle can provide more comfort to drivers. This especially comes in handy when a camera glitches out or is damaged by a falling branch. 

With a display in its place, Polestar has now placed a long glass roof that stretches overhead that gives occupants in the back seat a seemingly cozier and “unique experience,” according to Maximilian Missoni, head of design at Polestar.

Its exterior also exhibits all the makings of an ultra-futuristic SUV. The 4 sits between the 2 and the 3 in size and has slanted headlights to add to its streamlined look. It also has door handles flush with its body and frameless windows. The car can rev up from zero to 60 in 3.8 seconds and has a maximum power of 544 hp. Customers can also choose between dual-motor and single-motor versions. Both of these will have a 102 kWh battery and a range of 350 miles.

Polestar 4 will hit the roads in China sometime in November 2023 and will make its way over to Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific in 2024.

[via Hypebeast and TechCrunch, images via Polestar]