New Hyundai EV pays tribute to old concept

Hyundai presents a new electric vehicle concept called 45 in honour of its 45-year-old Pony Coupe.

It’s revealed at the IAA 2019 Frankfurt motor show and focusses on autonomous technologies and intelligent design, showcasing the brand’s future EV design direction.

The EV takes the 1974 Pony Coupe concept’s design inspired by aircraft from the 1920s into account.

The car’s name also owes itself partly to the 45-degree angles at the front and rear, forming a diamond-shaped silhouette indicating the design direction of future EV models.

“As an icon of Hyundai, the 45 clearly reveals how Hyundai heads towards the future through heritage,” Hyundai senior vice president and design centre head SangYup Lee says.

The 45 reinterprets the concept’s distinctive lattice radiator grille with a ‘kinetic cube lamp’ design, with a modern fastback profile added.

At the bottom of the door, a special garnish highlights its long-distance battery capability and, through active LED lights, drivers can know how much longer they can drive even before they get in the car.

A hidden camera monitoring system (CMS) is equipped in the vehicle, leaving room for self-driving system applications, and other upcoming technologies.

The system uses side cameras instead of traditional wing mirrors to overcome visibility challenges from dirt on the mirror, rotating the lens past a brush.

Hyundai reimagines the in-car experience in a self-driven vehicle, the interior becoming a living space capable of transforming to accommodate a range of passenger lifestyle demands.

The minimalist cabin is fitted with a fusion of wood, fabric and leather, creating a relaxing and spacious atmosphere.

Lounge chair-style rear seats and front seats that can rotate to face other passengers are included. Front-seat passengers can interact with the infotainment system via a projection-beam interface, replacing a single central touchscreen with a series of displays and functions integrated into the dashboard.

The batteries in 45 are set throughout the car’s carpeted ‘skateboard floor,’ contributing to its spacious interior. The seats swivel towards occupants as they open the door for convenient entry and exit.

The car reimagines storage space, including a horizontally elongated transparent door pocket shape that allows books or tablet PCs to be stored.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motorsport has also unveiled its first electric race car at the Frankfurt, show, the Veloster N ETCR.