The Hyundai 45 EV Concept looks forward – by looking backwards
Having built Ford Cortinas under licence in South Korea since the late 1960s, 45 years ago Hyundai revealed its first home-grown passenger car at the 1974 Turin Motor Show: the Giugiaro-designed Pony. Now, 45 years on, Hyundai is unveiling another important new model at a European motor show, it’s aptly-named 45 Concept at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The 45 Concept previews Hyundai's future design plans for electric and autonomous driving, with the concept integrating the body and chassis together in a monocoque coupe form, partly inspired by the Pony-based 1974 Ital Design Hyundai Coupe prototype.
It draws on the clean lines and minimalist structure of the original concept, while incorporating an evolution of the brand's so-called ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language, but also the 45-degree angles at the front and rear of the car. These form a diamond-shaped silhouette that will be instrumental in the future design of Hyundai EVs, according to SangYup Lee, Hyundai's head of design
The 45 EV's cabin's lack of a B-pillar and its continuation through to the C-pillar is intended to give the concept a sense of motion through its form, even when it is stationery, according to Hyundai.
The 45 EV has several details highlighting its EV technology, including a special indicator showing the vehicle's battery capability and active LED lights that tell drivers how much range they have, before they even get into the car. The 45 EV Concept uses 800-volt battery technology from Hyundai, which enables faster charging.
Inside, Hyundai says its design team has moved beyond simply driving to focus on the vehicle's evolution into a living space for future motorists, taking inspiration from furniture design, with a minimalist cabin fitted with wood, fabric and leather to create a warm atmosphere that the Hyundai says is both relaxing and spacious.
With an emphasis on a communal environment, the concept has lounge-style rear seats and front seats that can rotate to face rear passengers, together with a carpeted floor. Batteries are stowed throughout the vehicle's floor in a ‘skateboard’ pattern to maximise interior space and minimise intrusion.
The Hyundai 45 EV Concept also has a futuristic infotainment system that allows front-seat passengers to interact with it via a projection-beam interface. This replaces a single central touchscreen with a series of displays and functions integrated into the dashboard itself. We look forward to seeing Hyundai’s new design language and driverless EV technology appearing in its future production models.
Frankfurt 2019
Frankfurt Motor Show
Motor Show
2019
Hyundai
Concept
