Formula 2030 Concept Hints At Next Polestar 2

Polestar got itself a new design boss in 2024, but it's taken a while for us to see what he's capable of. And if this new Formula 2030 concept is anything to go by, he was definitely the right man for the job. Philipp Römers' first show car for the EV brand is a sporty electric hatchback that Polestar says drops clues about how its next generation of production cars, including the new 2, will look.

At 4,680 mm (184.3 inches) long, the Formula 2030 is shorter than a new 2027 BMW 3 Series, but wider than a Polestar 5 GT, and even lower. There's definitely a hint of Hyundai Ioniq 5 about the squat proportions, though to our eyes the Polestar's narrow glasshouse makes it look meaner.

The clamshell hood with its deep center depression looks long by EV standards, and a pair of DRLs encase slim LED headlights. Polestar says we'll see those same Dual Blade headlights on the upcoming 2 crossover sedan. But probably not the vertical single windshield wiper, which looks like it escaped from an endurance racer. Just above the wiper's tip is a concealed Lidar sensor that pops out of the roof when the driver wants the car to share — or just take over — driving duties.

Swollen arches are filled with 22-inch center-lock wheels, and the rear doors hinge from the back, revealing the absence of a B-pillar. That's a common feature on concept cars, though one that rarely makes it to production. But one thing we'd like to see productionized is the rear hatch. The entire back end of the car lifts upwards, akin to a Group B rally mutant like the Lancia Delta S4 or Peugeot 205 T16, to reveal a transparent trunk floor showcasing the Öhlins dampers.

Also notable at the back are the lights. Römers has junked the rear light bar that's a common theme on all of Polestar's current models in one form or another. Instead, the Formula 2030 has a slim LED blade on each side, which is probably a hint about how Polestar's next cars will look from the rear. It's funny how things come around. A few years ago, automakers were fitting full-width light bars so their cars would stand out, and now they're having to revert to regular lights to achieve the same effect.

A curved 20-inch gauge cluster mounted behind a yoke-style steering wheel sets the high-tech interior tone, but they're not the most interesting cabin details. That would be the 12.2-inch console touchscreen, which moves depending on what driving mode you've selected. Choose performance mode and the screen drops away into the console, while the steering wheel moves towards your chest so you can concentrate on the drive. But select autonomous mode and the wheel moves away, and the screen rises from the console to offer more infotainment services. 

One surprise amid all of this tech is the presence of real switches. Polestar says owners can choose between rocker switches and rotary dials, and customize the functions of each. The automaker doesn't mention the powertrain, but it's a given that it's electric as the brand is fully committed to the EV cause. Unfortunately, however, Polestar can no longer commit to selling cars in America. It was forced to exit the U.S. after the 2026 model year due to restrictions on its Chinese software, meaning the bright new future the Formula 2030 points to will have to manage without access to the world's second biggest car market.