Hyundai has just lifted the veils of its 45 EV
Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show and it’s a study that looks to the future
while paying tribute to the past. Inspired by one of the most
iconic vehicles in the brand’s history, the 1974 Pony Coupe Concept, the 45
design study showcases Hyundai’s future design direction for electric vehicles.
Additionally, the concept “reimagines the in-car experience in the age of
electrification and autonomous technologies,” according to the automaker.
The Hyundai 45 EV Concept‘s name is also a throwback
to the Pony Coupe Concept as 45 years have passed since that vehicle was
unveiled. Furthermore, the name owes itself in part to the 45-degree angles at
the front and rear that form a diamond-shaped silhouette which Hyundai says it
anticipates the design direction of future EV models.
The 45 EV concept adopts a monocoque-style body as
well as aerodynamic and lightweight design inspired by aircrafts of the 1920s.
Just like the original coupe concept, it features clean lines and a
minimalistic structure. At the same time it incorporates
the evolution of Hyundai’s “Sensuous Sportiness” design language. Exterior
highlights include the lattice radiator grille with a “kinetic cube lamp”
design echoed at the rear by a similar arrangement, fastback profile with a
forward-oriented posture, a significant width, and suicide doors.
The details are striking as well and include the
special garnish at the bottom of the front doors which shows the status of the
battery via active LED lights, hidden Camera Monitoring System (CMS) which uses
side cameras instead of traditional wing mirrors, and intricate design of the
alloys.
The interior is described by Hyundai as “a unique
living space capable of transforming to accommodate a range of passenger
lifestyle demands.” Since the 45 EV Concept packs autonomous driving
technology, designers have fitted the minimalist cabin with a combination of
wood, fabric and leather in order to create “a warm atmosphere that is both relaxing
and spacious.” The car features lounge chair-style rear seats and front seats
that can rotate to face other passengers.
Front-seat passengers can interact with the
infotainment system via a projection-beam interface that replaces a single
central touchscreen with a series of displays and functions integrated into the
dashboard itself.
According to Hyundai, the fully-electric powertrain
enables the maximization of interior space as the batteries and motors are
positioned outside or below the passenger compartment. The 45 EV Concept also
refines the concept of door-mounted device pockets by introducing a
horizontally elongated shape that allows books or tablet PCs to be stored. The
storage space uses a transparent material, making it easy to see the contents. The automaker does not provide
any details regarding the powertrain.
