Hyundai Teases Retro-future Concept for Frankfurt Auto Show
Hyundai is bringing a retro-future concept vehicle to the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. Called the 45, the car appears to be an electrified hatchback and has the stated mission of helping the brand shape future EV designs. While we’ve only seen a single teaser image of the model thus far, we like where this is heading.
The automaker says the 45 was “inspired by looking back at the brand’s first model in the 1970s,” meaning the Ford Cortina is (and probably always was) off the table. The South Korean manufacturer is likely referencing the rear-drive Pony subcompact. It certainly appears to be the correct shape and the taillight location is similar enough for us not to rule it out. However, the total package seems to be more inspired by the DeLorean DMC-12 and 1980s concepts like the Citroën Karin or Ford Maya.
Regardless of its influences, the 45 is supposed to help Hyundai fine-tune its current design language. Unfortunately, the phrasing the company used happened to be less exciting than the photo of the car’s rear.
“The new concept accentuates the forward-driven design direction while exploring the evolution of Hyundai’s ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language. ‘Sensuous’ stands for enhanced emotional values that customers can experience through design, and ‘Sportiness’ is determined to implement those values through innovative mobility solutions,” explained the automaker.
Listen, if Hyundai wants to start building yesterday’s tomorrow and pump wedge-shaped EVs out of its factories, we aren’t going to complain. The world could probably use a bit more neon and LaserDisc. But the sportiness-via-mobility angle is decidedly less enthralling — even if it’s just because the concept is so poorly defined. Perhaps, we’ll have a better handle on how that will come together in September.
Hyundai says the 45 concept will be unveiled September 10th at the Frankfurt Motor Show amid “various future innovations in vehicle technology and integration of lifestyle applications.” A new crossover vehicle is also expected to be revealed.
[Image: Hyundai]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Looking forward to see what this looks like. Between this and that little throwback Honda there's some nice retro themed electric vehicles that don't look like pods getting launched. Also, I used to really like the comment section of this site but it seems to have taken a sharp dive with almost every topic devolving into people crying about politics. It's making it more and more difficult to keep coming back.
Hyundai are also throwing back to the good old days of having no original thoughts of their own and blatantly ripping off other manufacturers ideas, in this case the Honda Urban EV.