Hyundai’s out-of-this-world EV concept is a glimpse at the upcoming Ioniq 3

Hyundai is retired with a caller conception car that previews a smaller EV that could slot beneath the Ioniq 5. And portion the plan is beauteous bold, and afloat of what seems to beryllium veiled references to Star Wars, the thought of a smaller (and hopefully little expensive) electrical hatchback is surely 1 of the much grounded ways to attack a plan workout of this kind.

The Concept Three surely hints astatine a imaginable Ioniq 3 determination down the line. And spec expanse surely supports that inference, with dimensions — 168.8-inch length, 76.4-inch width, and 56.2-inch — that puts it squarely successful that Kia Soul/Volkswagen Golf territory. Those numbers could alteration arsenic this conveyance gets person to production, but it seems similar a definite stake that Hyundai is funny successful a compact hatchback to assistance circular retired its Ioniq lineup, which close present includes the Ioniq 5 crossover, Ioniq 6 sedan, and Ioniq 9 full-size SUV.

But that’s not wherefore you’re speechmaking this article. You saw the pictures of the Concept Three and you clicked due to the fact that you privation to cognize WTF is going connected with this weird yellow-tinted solid abstraction trade looking vehicle. I don’t blasted you. Hyundai is the uncommon automaker these days that’s inactive having a spot of amusive with its concepts, and I applaud them for it.

The interior is wild, from the sugary yellowish and purple accents to the bizarre plan choices (seatbelt through the headrest?) to the Easter ovum references to a definite iconic science-fiction movie scattered throughout. We’ll commencement there, with sideview cameras that looks similar a transverse betwixt the Death Star and BB-8. The cockpit and halfway console seems inspired by a speeder bike. And there’s adjacent an inscription connected the rear bumper that reads “May the downforce beryllium with you.”

Of course, each of this is subtext. Hyundai isn’t making immoderate nonstop notation to Star Wars successful its property materials astir the Concept Three (likely truthful it wouldn’t person to wage Disney for the rights). And we lone noticed them ourselves aft watching YouTube transmission Electrifying’s video circuit of the EV. I conjecture you could telephone them Easter eggs, but adjacent that feels much intentional than it is. Still, discovering each these amusive plan quirks makes the wide plan a batch much rewarding.

But contempt referencing 1 of America’s top taste products to ever exist, the eventual accumulation mentation of this conception whitethorn ne'er marque it to these shores. Hyundai says the Concept Three “signals the brand’s planned enlargement into the European compact EV market.” And that makes full sense: Europe is simply a amended marketplace for EVs, and a amended marketplace for tiny hatchbacks. The remainder of america volition conscionable person to regard crossed that immense water and anticipation for the best.