Currently reading: Hyundai's retro-styled 45 EV previewed again ahead of unveil
Frankfurt-bound concept shows off Korean brand’s future design direction while paying tribute to its historic models

Hyundai has again previewed its Frankfurt motor show star car, a retro-styled electric concept. 

Called the 45, it's said to feature styling references to the brand’s first production car, the Mitsubishi-powered Pony hatchback, which was launched in 1974. 

The first preview image of the EV showed off an LED bar across the rear that will display a matrix flourish upon start-up. Now a rear-side view reveals the car's large wheels and minimalist profile. 

Elsewhere, we can see hints that the 45 will bear a resemblance to sibling brand Genesis’s recent Mint concept, with a rakish roofline, a narrow rear window, extended wheel arches and a low, wide stance. 

As well as paying tribute to the brand’s historic design work, Hyundai says the 45 will “act as a symbolic milestone for Hyundai’s future EV design”. 

There's currently no production intent for the 45; it acts as a design study, rather than a preview of a particular future model. However, a Hyundai spokesperson said the concept is based on a new EV platform and will “preview the potential for EV designers in the future”. 

The 45 will make its first public appearance alongside an all-new version of the i10 city car and the limited-run i30 N Project C hardcore hot hatch. 

Luc Donckerwolke, Hyundai's design chief, said earlier this year that the firm’s styling language needs to be further differentiated from that of sibling brands Genesis and Kia. 

He said: “Our core task is to differentiate the design philosophy of the three brands, not least because we have a big share in Korea.

“We need to differentiate each model, otherwise the landscape is too homogenous.” 

Read more

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Hyundai plans more diverse designs for future models​

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Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: News and features editor

Felix is Autocar's news editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

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Peter Cavellini 6 September 2019

Yawn!

 When ever I see or not see two or three sketchy, darkish, out of Focus images of a Car or whatever I think to myself.......not very confident in there new product are they?

Takeitslowly 6 September 2019

Peter Cavellini wrote:

Peter Cavellini wrote:

 When ever I see or not see two or three sketchy, darkish, out of Focus images of a Car or whatever I think to myself.......not very confident in there new product are they?

 

Do you understand the actual point of these images at that particular stage of the process and did you take the time to read the article, that explains the images?. You post tripe.

 

What on earth does "see or NOT SEE mean here?. Same question for "a car or whatever"?. Tripe.

Peter Cavellini 7 September 2019

Again?

Takeit slowly @, It is you who have an issue with...not thinking it through, it’s an opinion, you either like it or not, that your choice anyone’s choice for that matter,and if you have a low impatience threshold, you seriously need to lighten up and not be so serious, and as I’ve said on another post you took to task, what I say is supposed to make you look at the pics again and try to see my point, I’m not expecting you to agree, but, a civil and objective reply is all I, we want.

gavsmit 6 September 2019

Ban concept cars

I usually ignore concept vehicle stories completely because they tease much but deliver very little or nothing.

But this particular item has me more frustrated than usual with its cool retro looks and electric power train because we know such a car will never be made, or watered down so much that it will not resemble the concept at all - despite them slapping a huge price tag on it and announcing a tiny range (just like Honda did with their watered down expensive effort).

abkq 6 September 2019

Promises to be a more

Promises to be a more successful design than the too self-consciously cute Honda EV