Even without the early enthusiastic push for all-electric vehicles and the current backlash against them (or mild controversy, at best), it does feel like the auto industry is at a crossroads. The Polestones 01 SUV, boasting a design by Pininfarina and a hybrid powertrain, wants to be a look into a possible future.
The Pininfarina-designed Polestones 01 is more than a look into a possible future in the sense that it's not just a concept. It's a real vehicle, albeit brought to market by an EV startup, but with support from established names from the likes of Pininfarina Shanghai Design, Bosch, CATL, and Continental. That startup is Polestones Automobile, the EV branch of young automaker Rox Motor, and 01 is the flagship model introduced earlier this month.
Chances are the Polestones 01 will only be available in China, so for the rest of the world, it doubles as an interesting – and maybe slightly confusing – study into the future of auto design. The mid-size SUV is a hybrid and technically a luxury model, but it comes with features that promise reliability off-road and even on extended trips.
As the headline notes, it's a hybrid city car that dreams of being a tough off-roader and a van, both at the same time and without skimping on luxury. It's an all-in-one solution for all the possible needs of a modern family looking for adventures in their spare time, with maximum functionality as a daily driver as well.
Photo: Polestones Automobile
Pininfarina notes that it was involved in the interior and exterior design from the concept stage to industrialization, and this should serve to convince customers looking for something with a bit more flare and prestige. This emphasis on Pininfarina's involvement would explain disparate comparisons to the Defender, not a single one of them favorable.
"The tough, protective exterior shell symbolizes responsibility, concealing a fiery passion beneath the sharp lines," Matteo Piguzzi, Vice President of Design at Pininfarina Shanghai, says of the SUV's design language. "The end result is a robust off-road SUV that aligns seamlessly with the current SUV trends."
Design choices aside, the Polestones 01 comes with a very surprising mix of features, from a rear-end "restaurant" to airline seats in the back, a wraparound canopy that turns it into a proper basecamp, and a king-size bed that can easily sleep three adults, giving it the comfort and practicality of a van, but in a much more luxurious package.
Photo: Polestones Automobile
The "restaurant" is dubbed an industry first, integrated into the rear door and featuring an exclusive induction cooktop, a water dispenser, storage options, and the basics for a mobile kitchen. It's a tailgate galley but named differently because it's attached to a much fancier off-roader. The 270-degree canopy comes with a design that allows deployment and stowing in a matter of minutes, though exactly how that would happen remains uncertain.
The SUV comes in two configurations and three total trims: as a luxury six-seater in two trims and as a seven-seater in one trim. In the latter configuration, the two rows in the back fold down and convert into a comfy and very spacious bed that can fit three adults. For the premium six-seater, the seats are airline-style for the ultimate driving experience.
In either spec, the front seats come with ventilation, heating, and massage functions, while the rear ones have heating and massage. Just because you're taking your fancy SUV off-roading for a longer stretch doesn't mean you have to make do without the amenities you're used to when driving in the city.
Photo: Polestones Automobile
The cabin is spacious and comfortable thanks to the generous measures: 5,050 mm (199 inches) in length, 1,980 mm (78 inches) in width, and 1,869 mm (73.5 inches). The dashboard is clad in leather matching the seats and the overall minimalist styling of the interior.
Entertainment comes courtesy of an LCD split screen with a kid lock feature (this is a family-friendly vehicle, after all), but the Polestones 01 Intelligent Interaction system supports connectivity with multiple smart screens. Standard features also include a 9-inc streaming media rearview mirror, 256-color ambient lighting, air purification system, and two options for the assisted driving system (standard and advanced).
Power comes from a 1.5T four-cylinder engine that produces 154 HP and dual electric motors that peak at 350 kW and 740 Nm. The battery is CATL-supplied, with a capacity of 56 kWh and a range of 235 km (146 miles) on motor only. Combined range is 1,338 km (832 miles), which hopefully aligns with what "the next generation of freedom-seeking road families" has in mind when thinking fancy off-roading.
Photo: Polestones Automobile
Jokes aside, but strictly for conversational purposes (for readers outside of China), the Polestones 01 comes with an MRSP of US$49,400 for the premium six-seater and US$48,000 for the seven-seater. No delivery estimate is offered, which explains the still incomplete spec list, but the general impression is that shipping should start soon.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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