Polestar has launched its 2024 Design Contest in partnership with Hot Wheels, the renowned die-cast brand beloved by enthusiasts of all ages. This year, designers are encouraged to craft a Hot Wheels collectible that embodies the imaginative spirit of their youth while also integrating Polestar’s design DNA.
Participants are urged to push the boundaries of design and unleash their creativity. While they’re challenged to think creatively, the sole requirement is that the design should be adaptable to a 1:64 Hot Wheels die-cast toy car.
Contestants who make it to the shortlist before the finale will receive guidance from Polestar’s design team to refine their designs before the final submission.
“Dreams have the power to inspire and transport us beyond what we thought possible. This is an opportunity for all participating designers to truly push the limits of the Polestar brand and unleash their imagination,” said Maximilian Missoni, Polestar’s head of design.
The eventual winner of the 2024 Design Contest will have the privilege of seeing their design transformed into a Hot Wheels collectible. It will mark the first Hot Wheels x Polestar vehicle created as part of the automaker’s collaboration with the Mattel-owned brand.
Last year, the remarkable Synergy concept earned top honors after two exterior designers and one interior designer were chosen to collaborate. Following six months of effort, their single-seater electric race car was unveiled and eventually rendered into a 1:1 scale model.
While it’s unlikely that Polestar will ever produce something like this, they could adopt design elements first seen here for future production cars, such as a potential Polestar 2 replacement. The competition commences on March 5, with submissions due by April 16. The winner will be announced in Q4 2024.
“I believe this year’s Hot Wheels collaboration will challenge the design community to step outside their usual comfort zones by blending the minimalist essence of the Polestar brand with the bold Hot Wheels aesthetic.
While we anticipate some of the most daring submissions yet, we also anticipate being inspired by the caliber, quantity, and diversity of entries we receive,” said Juan Pablo Bernal, founder of the Polestar Design Contest.
Hot Wheels remains unbiased towards brands, as demonstrated by the Legends Tour, which celebrates the most outlandish custom cars from around the globe.
Each year, the competition travels worldwide in search of the next champion, with the victor immortalized in 1:64 scale toy form. Last year, a Cyberpunk-inspired Mazda MX-5 Miata took home the top prize.
