Shashank Shekhar’s ‘Polestar TRX’ Design to Become First Polestar Model in Hot Wheels Collection
Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car brand, has revealed the winner of its highly anticipated 2024 Design Contest. Partnering with the iconic Hot Wheels brand, this year’s competition invited designers to reimagine Polestar’s minimalist aesthetic through the lens of Hot Wheels’ legendary 1:64 scale toy cars.
The winning design, Polestar TRX, created by Shashank Shekhar, a professional designer from India, introduces a bold spin on Polestar’s refined design language. Designed as a rugged off-roader, the Polestar TRX features exaggerated proportions and ultra-sleek surfaces, representing a daring evolution of the brand’s unmistakable style. The design will now take its place in automotive history as the first-ever Polestar to be included in the iconic Hot Wheels die-cast lineup, available to collectors in the summer of 2025.
“I’m thrilled to win,” Shekhar said. “This will be the first design in my career to be produced, so it’s a big deal for me. I never thought that something I’ve created would end up as a Hot Wheels car. It’s been an amazing journey. Something like this gives you so much confidence as a young designer.”
For over 50 years, Hot Wheels has been at the forefront of automotive performance and design, creating die-cast models that reflect a passion for car culture and innovation. The 2024 collaboration with Polestar not only challenged participants to merge these brands’ distinct identities but also pushed the boundaries of automotive creativity.
“Our aim was to find designs that captured the playfulness and vibrancy of Hot Wheels while staying true to Polestar’s minimalist DNA,” said Juan-Pablo Bernal, Head of Interior Design at Polestar and curator of the @polestardesigncommunity Instagram account. “Shashank’s Polestar TRX exceeded all expectations and demonstrated incredible originality. I can’t wait to see the collectible in real life!”
This year’s Design Contest saw its largest turnout yet, attracting over 1,200 submissions from around the world. Designers were judged by a four-member panel featuring experts from both Polestar and Mattel. The competition highlighted not only innovative design ideas but also Polestar’s commitment to empowering creatives across the globe.
Powei Chen from Italy earned the runner-up spot with his vibrant Cyber Shaker, a cyberpunk-inspired marvel blending futuristic elements with a nod to nostalgia. Germany’s Roman Moor was awarded an honorable mention for his Polestar Track Toy, a striking Le Mans-inspired design that impressed judges with its sleek execution and high-performance appeal.
“This year’s submissions were some of the most daring and imaginative designs we’ve ever seen,” Bernal added. “Collaborating with Hot Wheels allowed participants to explore new creative heights, and the results speak for themselves.”
Shashank Shekhar’s Polestar TRX is not only a win for the designer but also a milestone collaboration for Polestar and Hot Wheels. “It was a pleasure to collaborate with Polestar and see how designers bridged the gap between these two brands,” said Ted Wu, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Design at Mattel. “The Polestar TRX will be a proud addition to our Hot Wheels lineup, cementing its place in Hot Wheels history.”
The Polestar TRX die-cast model is scheduled to hit stores worldwide during the summer of 2025, giving fans of both brands a chance to own an exclusive piece of this historic partnership.
Now in its fourth year, the Polestar Design Contest is widely regarded as one of the automotive industry’s premier platforms for both professional and student designers. The initiative not only showcases emerging talent but also provides participants with mentorship opportunities from industry leaders, further preparing them for successful careers.
Since its inception, the contest has enabled many participants to join the professional design world, with some even securing positions with Polestar’s own design team. The collaboration with Hot Wheels for the 2024 edition added an exciting new dimension to the contest, challenging participants to think beyond conventional automotive design.
Polestar and Hot Wheels have once again proven that design can inspire and ignite imagination, breaking boundaries between reality and miniature scale innovation. Fans and collectors alike eagerly await the arrival of the Polestar TRX collectible, which promises to become a must-have addition to any Hot Wheels collection.
