Hyundai is out with a new concept car that previews a smaller EV that would slot beneath the Ioniq 5. And whereas the design is fairly daring, and filled with what appears to be veiled references to Star Wars, the thought of a smaller (and hopefully cheaper) electrical hatchback is unquestionably one of many extra grounded methods to method a design train of this sort.
The Idea Three definitely hints at a doable Ioniq 3 someplace down the road. And spec sheet definitely helps that inference, with dimensions — 168.8-inch size, 76.4-inch width, and 56.2-inch — that places it squarely in that Kia Soul/Volkswagen Golf territory. These numbers may change as this car will get nearer to manufacturing, nevertheless it looks as if a certain guess that Hyundai is serious about a compact hatchback to assist spherical out its Ioniq lineup, which proper now consists of the Ioniq 5 crossover, Ioniq 6 sedan, and Ioniq 9 full-size SUV.
However that’s not why you’re studying this text. You noticed the photographs of the Idea Three and also you clicked since you wish to know WTF is occurring with this bizarre yellow-tinted glass house craft trying car. I don’t blame you. Hyundai is the uncommon automaker today that’s nonetheless having a little bit of enjoyable with its ideas, and I applaud them for it.
The inside is wild, from the sugary yellow and purple accents to the weird design selections (seatbelt via the headrest?) to the Easter egg references to a sure iconic science-fiction movie scattered all through. We’ll begin there, with sideview cameras that appears like a cross between the Dying Star and BB-8. The cockpit and heart console appears impressed by a speeder bike. And there’s even an inscription on the rear bumper that reads “Could the downforce be with you.”
After all, all of that is subtext. Hyundai isn’t making any direct reference to Star Wars in its press supplies in regards to the Idea Three (seemingly so it wouldn’t need to pay Disney for the rights). And we solely observed them ourselves after watching YouTube channel Electrifying’s video tour of the EV. I assume you could possibly name them Easter eggs, however even that feels extra intentional than it’s. Nonetheless, discovering all these enjoyable design quirks makes the general design much more rewarding.
However regardless of referencing considered one of America’s best cultural merchandise to ever exist, the eventual manufacturing model of this idea might by no means make it to those shores. Hyundai says the Idea Three “alerts the model’s deliberate enlargement into the European compact EV market.” And that makes complete sense: Europe is a greater marketplace for EVs, and a greater marketplace for small hatchbacks. The remainder of us will simply need to gaze throughout that huge ocean and hope for the very best.