Hyundai has created some head turning concepts over the years and their latest certainly doesn’t disappoint. Designed to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their luxury sedan, the Heritage Series Grandeur is a retro-fabulous concept with a surprising electric twist.
The concept is based on a first-generation
Grandeur and embraces “retrofuturism” as it combines old school styling with
modern technology. That’s clearly evident from the outside as the concept has a
parametric grille, which is flanked by LED headlights with a pixel-centric
design. Continuing further back, the model has been outfitted with new mirrors
and wheels as well as bright cladding and pixel taillights.
While the exterior is interesting, the cabin
has been completely transformed by Hyundai’s interior design team. However, a
handful of old school touches remain including a single-spoke steering wheel, a
mechanical shifter, and velvet upholstery which was the Alcantara and Nappa
leather of the era.
That being said, the cabin is more notable
for its technology as the concept has been equipped with a digital instrument
cluster which flows into a widescreen infotainment system. There’s also a
secondary lower display with an oddball digital piano function.
Putting the technology aside, there are a
handful of cool touches including furniture-inspired elements such as the front
armrest. It boasts a hidden storage compartment, which can be used to hide
valuables such as a watch. Elsewhere, there’s premium leather and wood trim as
well as unique lights for the rear passenger compartment. The latter are
amplified by “infinity mirrors” to create a distinctive lighting experience.
The concept was completed in eight months
and Hyundai noted that it has an “electric drive system composed of a battery
and a motor, instead of an internal combustion engine.” Unfortunately, there’s
no word on specifics.
