Discover Polestar’s Chief of Design Describe the Uniqueness of the Precept Concept

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What motivates designers in their decision-making process? This question has sparked endless discussions for ages, long before the existence of armchairs and subreddits. Car design may appear capricious from afar, but just like engineering, there is always a clear objective, a rationale behind every choice, and someone ready to defend those choices in front of a discerning panel. That’s why I’ve always found it fascinating to listen to designers themselves explain their craft. Recently, at the Classic Car Club Manhattan, Polestar hosted an event where I had the opportunity to witness the unveiling of the company’s Precept concept in person. Furthermore, I received a comprehensive walkthrough from Maximilian Missoni, the design lead at Polestar.

Missoni’s team is credited with spearheading the creation of the Precept, a conceptual sedan slated to join the Polestar 5 lineup in 2024, making him well-versed in the ins and outs of this innovative design. Having graduated from the esteemed Royal College of Art in London, Missoni initiated his career with the Volkswagen Group, contributing to the designs of various brands within the group. In 2012, Volvo Car Corporation enlisted him as the principal exterior designer, entrusting him with reinvigorating the brand’s aesthetic appeal. He subsequently ascended to the position of design chief at Polestar in 2018.

Missoni’s distinctive touch is evident in the visually striking Polestar 1 and 2 models, and the Precept is no exception.

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Upon closer inspection, the Precept displays a blend of intricate futurism and sleek, aerodynamic contours, exuding a hint of allure akin to what a humanoid might find appealing from certain angles. These nuances prevent the overall design from appearing sterile and dystopian. Polestar is embracing a design ethos that Missoni refers to as “robotic,” in contrast to the organic, flowing forms favored by other automakers.

The vehicle boasts meticulous, high-tech contours, coupled with familiar sports-car references. For instance, a subtle pair of fender bulges at the front end adds a touch of exoticism to the concept. A concept reminiscent of what is known as “Becker points” at Polestar’s sibling brand Lotus, also under the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, paying tribute to the renowned engineering director Roger Becker, who believed these features aided drivers in precise vehicle positioning.

Similarly, the aerodynamic nose-mounted airfoil channels air through the intricately sculpted hood to minimize turbulence and enhance laminar flow, allowing designers to depart from the conventional rounded front surfaces often seen in other EVs.

When it came to integrating the LiDAR sensor above the Precept’s windshield, designers faced a crucial decision: conceal it behind a facade or integrate it as a prominent design element. The placement of a vehicle’s LiDAR sensor significantly impacts the effectiveness of the ADAS system in object detection. By segregating the sensor assembly’s design from the rest of the vehicle, designers could position the camera optimally without compromising the overall design. Chris Tsui from The Drive humorously remarked that it appears as if the car is sporting a small hat or perhaps resembling a misplaced WiFi router. While Tesla opts for a system of cameras and software instead of LiDAR for object detection in advanced driver-assistance systems, thus avoiding this design quandary, Polestar firmly stands behind its LiDAR-based system, which is pivotal in improving the safety and functionality of their vehicles.