Any illusion we had that the internal combustion engine was here to stay vanished in a cloud of exhaust gas following the Government’s announcement of a ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
Not everyone has embraced the electric revolution, and car makers are playing to a tough crowd in those of us hard-wired to the sound of a screaming flat-six and the smell of unburnt Four Star.
But while the swing is unsettling, it has opened up a new market of enticing all-electric and hybrid cars – a rare few with the potential to become truly collectible.
One such example was so exciting that it spawned not only a new model, but a new manufacturer.
Parent company Geely had such faith in the 2013 Volvo Concept Coupé that it charged its designer, Thomas Ingenlath, with bringing the car to market as CEO of Polestar.
In 2019 the concept emerged from its chrysalis, a stunning two-door with sharp yet subtle lines that bring to mind the classic P1800.
It’s a striking car, bristling with futuristic touches; everywhere you look are clever details, from the flush-fitting doorhandles to the satisfying way the door mirror glass reaches to the edges.