By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse
In a groundbreaking move a Swedish car company has ditched the rear window in its latest electric model in favour of a roof-mounted digital camera.
The makers of Polestar 4 say the new technology, beamed to a dashboard screen, gives the driver a far wider field of view and also offers more headroom in the vehicle’s rear.
The new Polestar has just gone on sale in the UK. It was launched in China last December.
Whilst this is undoubtably bold and exciting I still like a car that incorporates a well designed windscreen! Here’s some of my favourites.
In typical Citroen style both the CX, launched in the seventies, and the more modern C6 come with striking concave rear windows. The feature not only adds to the sleek profile of these cars but has a practical purpose in diverting rain from the rear screen.
Staying with French design, the double-bubble roof and rear windscreen of the Peugeot RCZ, launched in 2009, proved the coupe’s signature feature. When your car is pitched against the top-selling Audi TT and looks very similar, bold exterior touches are all important.
Think ‘split screen’ and you might not think of the VW Beetle, but the early ‘Bugs’ came with a split oval-shaped rear window. In 1953, mass production brought easier to fit single rear windows, but for discerning collectors the rare pre-1953 design is the one to chase.
Nissan’s quirky city car, the Cube, pushed design in a new direction in 2009. This mini-MPV features a wraparound rear window stretching from a chunky rear pillar (driver’s side) round to its passenger side. Sadly, such innovation wasn’t matched by soaring sales and the Cube was dropped in the UK and Europe after two years.
For me, the Jensen Interceptor offered the coolest design with its sweeping rear window adding to the allure of this hand-built sixties classic. Developed by Carrozzeria Touring of Italy and assembled in West Bromwich, the Interceptor’s curved window would go on to influence designers of the Porsche 924, Citroen SM and the Renault Fuego and 25.
The Polestar’s new design is undoubtedly another step in the evolution of the EV, but it also makes you appreciate even more the development of classic motors of yesteryear. Concave, wavy or wraparound, it’s a nostalgic journey I enjoy!
I think this is a silly move from Polestar, not that I’ll be buying one anyway at those prices. Its just another step towards completely isolating drivers from their surroundings. High window lines, massive C-pillars, dark tinted glass, all serve to disconnect drivers from their environment and what is going on around them, resulting in less considerate and unaware driving styles.. And, there are plenty of people who find focussing on digital camera screens to be problemmatic compared to using mirrors.
I totally agree Nick. Seems to reflect the bland lines of the latest generation of cars.
Thank you for your feedback. Tony