Polestar, Volvo's electric performance brand, unveiled a stunning concept car at the 2023 IAA Munich motor show. The Polestar Synergy is a single-seater electric hypercar combining the visions of three student designers who won the Polestar Design Contest 2022. The result is a futuristic and sleek machine that looks like a cross between a Group C racer and a hammerhead shark.
The Story Behind the Synergy
The Polestar Synergy is not a typical concept car from the automaker's in-house design team. Instead, it is the product of a collaborative effort between Polestar and three young talents who participated in the Polestar Design Contest, an annual competition that challenges aspiring designers to create innovative and sustainable vehicles for the future.
The theme of the 2022 contest was "performance," and Polestar received over 600 entries from around the world. After narrowing the list to 10 finalists, Polestar combined the ideas of three winners into one concept car. The exterior design of the Synergy is based on the proposals of Devashish Deshmukh and Swapnil Desai, both based in Paris, while the interior design is inspired by the work of Yingxiang Li from China.
The three winners spent six months working with the Polestar design team to refine their concepts and turn them into a full-scale model. According to Polestar's Head of Design, Maximillian Missoni, "This year, the story is as much about collaboration as performance. I'm proud that the team was able to guide and support the winners to realize their dream as a full-scale model. Student designers rarely receive such exposure at the start of their career."
The Design of the Synergy
The Polestar Synergy is a striking and aerodynamic electric hypercar that measures 4.56 meters (179.5 inches) long and only 1.07 meters (42.1 inches) tall. The low-slung body features a long, narrow nose, curved windshield, canopy-style cockpit, and tapered rear end. The car has plenty of openings and vents that channel the air around the bodywork, enhancing its efficiency and cooling.
The front fascia of the Synergy has a distinctive look with a large hexagonal grille that houses the Polestar logo and two slim LED headlights that extend to the sides. The rear end of the car has a large diffuser, a central fin, and two vertical taillights that echo the shape of the grille. The car also has a retractable rear wing that pops up when needed.
The Synergy rides on 20-inch wheels with low-profile tires and carbon-ceramic brakes. The wheels have a unique design with six spokes that resemble blades. The car also has cameras instead of side mirrors and door handles that are integrated into the body.
The interior of the Synergy is a minimalist and futuristic space that focuses on the driver's experience. The car has only one seat positioned in the cockpit's center, surrounded by a wraparound dashboard and a steering wheel with paddle shifters. The seat is designed to provide "floating comfort and control" and has an adjustable headrest, lumbar support, and harness.
The dashboard has a digital instrument cluster that displays vital information such as speed, battery level, range, and driving mode. The car also has a head-up display that projects navigation and other data onto the windshield. The center console has a touch-sensitive panel that controls various functions such as climate, audio, and settings.
The Synergy has no windows or doors but instead has a canopy that opens up to allow access to the cockpit. The canopy also has solar panels that help charge the battery and power some of the car's systems. The car also has ambient lighting that changes color according to the driving mode and mood.
The Performance of the Synergy
Polestar did not reveal any specific details about the powertrain or performance of the Synergy, but it described it as an "electric fantasy supercar" that showcases its vision for sustainable mobility. Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath says, "The Synergy proves that electric vehicles can be just as exciting, if not more, than their ICE equivalents."
Based on its appearance and proportions, the Synergy is powered by an electric motor (or motors) that drives all four wheels and delivers impressive acceleration and handling. The car likely has a large battery pack with long-range and fast charging capabilities.
The Synergy also has different driving modes that alter its behavior and performance according to the driver's preferences and road conditions. The car can switch between Eco, Normal, Sport, and Track modes, each with its own characteristics and settings.
The Future of the Synergy
The Polestar Synergy is not intended to be a production car but rather a concept car that demonstrates the potential and creativity of Polestar and its design community. The car is also a way to inspire and engage the next generation of designers and engineers who will shape the future of mobility.
The Synergy will be on display at the Polestar Space in Munich during the IAA 2023. After its debut at the show, the 1:1 scale model will be shipped to the US, where it will begin its tour as a feature model at the Hot Wheels Legends Tour in El Segundo, California, from October 7, 2023.
The Synergy will also be immortalized as a scale model, thanks to the collaboration between Polestar and Mattel. The toy company will produce Hot Wheels and Matchbox versions of the Synergy and other Polestar production models, such as the Polestar 1, Polestar 2, and Polestar 3.
The Polestar Synergy is a concept car that combines design, performance, and sustainability in a stunning and futuristic package. It is a testament to the talent and vision of Polestar and its design contest winners, who have created an electric fantasy supercar that's more than a dream.
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