Electric car brand Polestar has become the first manufacturer to launch a car without a rear window in a major design change.
The new Polestar 4 model ditches the classic glass screen in exchange for a roof-mounted digital camera in a massive change from tradition.
Polestar claims the new technology enables a “far wider field of view” than what can be seen in most modern vehicles.
Instead, a full-length glass roof has been installed directly above the rear passenger seating.
The Polestar’s digital camera can be deactivated at the touch of a button to allow drivers to see the rear occupants instead.
However, Polestar reassures potential buyers that the new design does not compromise on safety in any measure.
Maximilian Missoni, Head of Design at Polestar, said: “With Polestar Precept we previewed a stunning new occupant experience by removing the rear window and pushing the rear header, which plays an integral safety role, further back.
“This means that now, rear occupants can have a unique experience in our SUV coupé.”
The Polestar 4 is now officially on sale in Europe and Australia after the model’s debut in China. The Tesla rival is expected to be costly with prices to start around the £59,900 mark.
But, those splashing the cash will likely have to wait to get behind the wheel with production expected to start towards the middle of 2024.
First deliveries of the new Polestar are not expected to be received by European customers until at least the autumn.
Jonathan Goodman, the head of Polestar in the UK, said the new camera solution solves a major vision problem encountered by many motorists. The sloping roofline and smaller rear windows of a coupé model can present a challenge for those transporting passengers.
He told The Times: “The visibility out the back of many cars is pretty constrained. The second you have a large passenger in the back, or any luggage, you can’t see anything out of it at all. If you place a camera there, the driver gets a far better field of vision.
“It means that you’ve actually got a fantastic amount of rear headroom and more space in the back. You’ve got a big sunroof that goes the length of the car and actually comes behind the rear passengers.”
Polestar claims their new model is the “fastest production car the brand has developed to date”.
The model has a top speed of around 124mph and can reach 0-62mph in a staggering 3.8 seconds. The Long-range Dual motor mode comes with a 102kWh Lithium-ion battery with an estimated range of around 285 miles.
Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO, commented: “The introduction of Polestar 4 into all our markets through the course of 2024 is key to our success, adding this third model to our line-up. Polestar 4 tackles the premium performance class in the D-SUV segment. Polestar 4’s innovative interpretation of an SUV coupé offers great interior space and a stunning appearance.”