Hyundai
Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept
Hyundai
revealed its innovative Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept at the 2015 North
American International Auto Show in Detroit. This fresh concept reflects a
completely new interpretation of truck utility for a new generation of buyers,
especially Millennials, who represent the second-largest population of car
buyers.
Modern
urbanization is impacting the market in a broad way, and this trend is
especially strong with young adults, who face tighter parking on streets and
parking garages, and increasing congestion overall. These trends are not
confined to one specific region of the U.S.; they're happening in urban hubs
everywhere. These "Urban Adventurers" have a different mindset, being
very active both socially, and in their communities, bringing a pioneering
spirit to make their neighborhoods a better place to live and work.
So
whether it's loading up friends and firewood for a bonfire at the beach,
coaching the youth soccer team, volunteering for a community restoration
project, or a quick drop-off at the local recycling center, they need a vehicle
versatile enough to accommodate both passengers and gear, while being efficient
enough to fit into their unique urban lifestyle.
To
meet the specific needs of these Urban Adventurers, Santa Cruz doesn't focus on
all the same attributes as traditional pickups. It's designed to meet more of
their desires for expression, efficiency and maneuverability. Hyundai designers
created a bold design that conveys this lifestyle, with a wide, sure-footed
stance and an aggressive side-profile rake. The front view features an upright,
hexagonal grille with cascading lines framing the sides, dual lens-free,
honeycombed headlamp projectors, and prominent LED fog lamps. The side profile
is highlighted by oversized wheels, Michelin tires with a special tread
design, center-locking hubs and yellow Brembo brake calipers.
For
ease of access to the rear seats, Santa Cruz features convenient, rear-hinged
rear doors which integrate seamlessly with the front door design. The wheel
arches, roof, and bed rails offer convenient tie-down cleats for securing cargo
of all shapes and sizes. From the rear, the concept presents highly-contoured
bed forms, and for extra utility, the expandable bed can be easily reconfigured
for longer cargo, using a unique drawer-like sliding function.
Efficiency
is a key attribute of its advanced powertrains, with an
environmentally-friendly 2.0-liter turbo diesel powertrain delivering 190
horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of torque, while achieving fuel economy in the high
30 mpg range. Santa Cruz also offers Hyundai's HTRAC All-wheel drive system,
so there's no anxiety about getting those snowboarding "fresh tracks"
right after a storm moves through.
The
concept is purposefully compact, and although it has four doors and seating for
five, its overall footprint is similar to a small CUV. These dimensions make it
ideal for navigating the urban jungle or a tight parking spot that most pickup
drivers often have to pass by. It offers typical CUV driving character, but with
a versatile cargo bed that provides separated storage for all they want to
bring along, whether it's a trip to the recycling center, a surf or paddleboard
session, or a couple of mountain bikes for the trails. Whatever the day's
activity might bring all that dirty, sweaty, wet, sandy, bulky gear remains
in the back of the truck, cleanly separated from the passenger compartment.
Santa
Cruz is for the growing population who sees and pursues the world differently,
those who want all the traditional attributes of a small CUV, but need the
day-to-day versatility of an open bed. It's the crossover truck that meets the
unspoken needs of Urban Adventurers.
