Polestar Percept teased, to run android automation

KUALA LUMPUR: Volvo has teased the all-electric Polestar Percept concept car, ahead of its official launch at the upcoming Geneva International Motor Show. The four-door grand touring sedan, according to Volvo, highlights the company’s plans to manufacture cars with sustainable materials and advanced digital technology. The Percept is expected to be a major milestone for Polestar as it attempts to establish a standalone identity.

Polestar’s design head Maximilian Missoni said that the Percept’s aesthetics are rooted in cutting-edge technology. At Polestar, technology is an enabler and an arsenal to solve society’s problems. The combination of high-tech systems and sustainable materials, he claimed, will open up a new chapter in avant-garde automobile designing.

The Percept concept sedan has a rather lengthy wheelbase of 3.1 meters to accommodate a larger battery. It also allows for more legroom and headroom. The full-sized sedan also has a LiDAR pod on the glass roof which, according to Polestar, is the next move towards increased driving assistance.

The all-electric Polestar Percept, like the Honda E and Audi E-Tron, has video cameras instead of the typical outside rearview mirrors (OVRMs). The car’s glass roof extends backwards and hence there is no conventional rear window. The tailgate also has a larger opening with high-mount hinges for better access.

The Percept, instead of conventional materials, has flax-based composites for its seatbacks and side panels. This has led to 80 percent reduction in the plastic weight. The seating upholstery is made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate bottles, while the headrests and bolsters have been manufactured from recycled cork vinyl. Polestar, clearly, has expressed its inclination to come up with a truly ‘green’ car.

Inside, the Percept has a next-generation Android-powered infotainment system, built with Polestar’s partnership with Google. The infotainment unit comprises of a 15.0-inch portrait-oriented central touchscreen along with a 12.5-inch digital instrument cluster. The two panels are linked through an illuminated strip which surrounds the car’s cabin. The instrument cluster has a number of smart sensors that include eye-tracking. It monitors the driver’s line of sight and adjusts the screens to show accordingly.

Polestar, expectedly, has not revealed the powertrain details of the Percept.

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