Polestar eliminates the rear window in latest electric car
Rear Window Removal & Rear Visibility
- Many see it as a regression: mirrors are high‑resolution, zero‑latency, work in 3D, and don’t depend on electronics or software.
- Others argue cargo vans already operate safely without rear windows, provided side mirrors (or digital equivalents) are good.
- Some current cars already offer camera-based “smart mirrors”; several drivers report quickly preferring them, especially at night or with cargo blocking the rear.
Camera vs Mirror: Safety, Reliability, and Usability
- Pro‑camera points:
- Better low‑light visibility via automatic gain.
- Wider, less obstructed field of view; no need to re‑adjust between drivers in some implementations.
- Easier to clear a small lens than a full rear window; cameras can be sheltered, heated, or washed.
- Anti‑camera points:
- Vulnerable to dirt, rain, snow, lag, glitches, and software/hardware failure; some report occasional Tesla camera glitches.
- Eye accommodation: focusing on a nearby screen then back to the road is tiring and potentially slow, especially for older drivers.
- 2D image harms natural depth perception; harder to judge speed of approaching vehicles.
- Long‑term concerns about expensive repairs and parts availability, though others claim rear cameras are commodity modules.
Passenger Experience & Interior Feel
- Rear seat without a window is described as claustrophobic; manufacturer plans extra lighting and an extended glass roof to compensate.
- Some fear being “cocooned” from the outside will worsen motion sickness; others note most attention is to side windows anyway.
Regulation, Driving Tests, and Edge Cases
- Reports differ: some driving examiners forbid reversing by camera alone; others explicitly allow it.
- Questions raised about:
- How tests adapt when no rear window exists.
- Situations where quick rear situational awareness is critical (e.g., a fast-approaching car at a stoplight).
Broader Design & Tech Concerns
- Several commenters dislike the trend toward more screens/software and fewer physical controls, seeing this as over‑engineering for marginal benefit.
- Others argue modern systems (fly‑by‑wire, redundancy, reliability engineering) show that well‑designed electronics can safely replace simpler mechanical solutions.