Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car brand, has unveiled the winner of its 2024 Design Contest, held in partnership with iconic toy car brand Hot Wheels. Shashank Shekhar, a professional designer from India, claimed the top prize for his striking ‘Polestar TRX’ concept, a rugged off-roader that marries exaggerated proportions with sleek, minimalist surfaces. The design marks a bold departure from Polestar’s typically understated aesthetic.
Shekhar’s ‘Polestar TRX’ will make history as the first Polestar design to be produced as a Hot Wheels die-cast collectible. The toy car is set to hit shelves in the summer of 2025.
“Winning this contest is a dream come true,” said Shekhar. “This is the first design of my career to be produced, and knowing it will become a part of Hot Wheels history is incredibly exciting.”
The 2024 competition drew over 1,200 entries worldwide, making it one of the largest editions of the contest to date. This year’s unique theme invited participants to merge the playfulness of Hot Wheels with Polestar’s signature design language. The contest encouraged both professional and student designers to push creative boundaries, resulting in some of the most daring submissions yet.
Runner-up Powei Chen from Italy impressed the judges with his vibrant ‘Cyber Shaker,’ a cyberpunk-inspired design that bridges the past and future. Roman Moor from Germany received an honorable mention for his Le Mans-inspired ‘Polestar Track Toy’ concept.
“We were looking for designs that reflected both the vibrancy of Hot Wheels and the minimalist aesthetic of Polestar,” said Juan-Pablo Bernal, Polestar’s Head of Interior Design. “Shashank’s concept exceeded our expectations, and we can’t wait to see the ‘Polestar TRX’ brought to life.”
The collaboration with Hot Wheels marked a significant milestone for the Polestar Design Contest. Ted Wu, Mattel’s Senior Vice President and Global Head of Design, praised the partnership, saying, “This year’s winner successfully bridged the gap between the two brands. We look forward to adding the ‘Polestar TRX’ to our storied lineup of die-casts.”
Now in its fourth edition, the Polestar Design Contest has become a platform for aspiring designers to showcase their visions. The competition’s legacy includes launching the careers of many participants who have joined Polestar or other leading design teams.
For more information about the 2024 Polestar Design Contest and to view the winning designs, visit Polestar’s official website or the @polestardesigncommunity Instagram account.
Source: Polestar
This article was crafted with assistance from Chatgpt
