Hyundai unveils its 45 electric concept

Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled the 45, an electric vehicle concept, at the Frankfurt International Motor Show.

As homage to its heritage and reimagined for the future, the 45 foreshadows a new era of Hyundai's automotive design focused on electrification, autonomous technologies and intelligent design. The progressive 45 puts a twist on a 45-year old icon, the Hyundai Pony Coupe Concept, to introduce an entirely new in-car experience for self-driving vehicles of tomorrow.

The dramatic exterior styling of 45 excites the imagination. Defined by its monocoque-style body, the 45 sports aerodynamic and light-weight design inspired by aircrafts from the 1920s.

The car's name also owes itself in part to the 45-degree angles at the front and rear, which form a diamond-shaped silhouette that foreshadows Hyundai's design direction for future EV models.

By exhibiting a modernised fastback profile, the 45 epitomises stability and dynamism, characteristics accentuated by the vehicle's significant width and forward-oriented posture.

The precise, yet energetic factors of the exterior are delivered throughout the cabin, which is structured by a Dynamic Daylight Opening (DLO). The DLO terminates in the fast angle of the C-pillar, which generates a feeling of dynamic forward motion, even when standing still.

As a progressive electric vehicle, new technology is visible in the 45's design. At the bottom of the door, a special garnish highlights its long-distance battery capability and, through active LED lights, drivers can intuitively know how much longer they can drive even before they get in the car. These thoughtful elements are designed for a user who is driving an electric vehicle for the first time.

Inside, Hyundai's design team takes the space beyond driving to focus on the vehicle's evolution into a living space.

Inspired by furniture designs, the minimalist cabin is fitted with an inviting fusion of wood, fabric and leather, creating a warm atmosphere that is both relaxing and spacious. Daylight was also considered as a design element for the headlining to bring analogue emotions in a natural way.

For occupants, the car delivers a comfortable and communal environment, with lounge chair-style rear seats and front seats that can rotate to face other passengers. Pushing design and technology further ahead, front-seat passengers can interact with the infotainment system via a projection-beam interface. This replaces a single central touchscreen with a series of displays and functions integrated into the dashboard itself.

The fully-electric powertrain finally enables a complete reimagination of how cars are packaged. The space is fully maximised with batteries and motors positioned outside or below the passenger compartment.