Hyundai revealed their new Crater concept at Automobility, the Los Angeles auto show. It’s a pure concept vehicle made by the design team at the Hyundai America Technical Center in Irvine, California. They asked, “What does freedom look like?”, and this is their answer.
It’s a rugged and capable form execution that clearly shows that this vehicle has adventurous skills and is made for strength, resilience and purpose. The team has further explored what they call ‘The Art of Steel’ form language, showcasing what can be done with the latest technology advancements within steel pressing and forming. Creating strong sculpted flowing forms with crisp detailing lines and creases. A very chiseled form, with bold design in rocker panels and other details that break the main shapes.
Exterior lighting continues the exploration of ‘Parametric Pixel’ design: patterns, humor, and emoji-like style communicate with the surroundings.
The roof platform gives ample possibilities to add accessories and auxiliary lights as suggested in the concept, with Hyundai’s ‘Gradient Parametric Pixel’ theme.
If we look at the Interior, it’s very much a concept car. It conveys an idea of materials that will age with pride and get a good patina – at least, that’s the intent. The beam across the instrument panel they call a ‘crash pad’; it incorporates ambient light in a soft, warm-orange hue. DVN Interior Senior Consultant Laurent Sérézat says, “In the house where I grew up in Denmark we had round modern heating elements that looked almost the same as this beam, both in length and diameter, so I hope they put some of the climate functions in there too.”
The steering wheel is of course modern in shape (as we learned recently from the Tokyo auto show). It has a lot of Dieter Rams and Braun design cues – nice and simple.
The instrumentation and HMI approach is very bold to say the least, with a fresh and innovative feeling. The 4 HMI displays have monochrome pixelated graphics, just like the exterior auxiliary lamps, just smaller pixels and more color. They remind of navigation instruments on bigger racing yachts; the size, proportions and looks are very similar. Nice when navigating your adventures!
The exposed roll cage protection acts as B-pillar and also looks to support the seats. The seats are covered in black leather and Alcantara, which will get a tough patina over time (according to the designers at Hyundai). Nice how they made a design feature out of the side impact protection that is normally a hidden part in all doors.
Concept cars often challenge the status quo and the norms and standards designers are usually constrained by, and the Crater is a fresh and great example of that quest to challenge!
