is transportation editor with 10+ years of experience who covers EVs, public transportation, and aviation. His work has appeared in The New York Daily News and City & State.
Hyundai is out with a new concept car that previews a smaller EV that could slot below the Ioniq 5. And while the design is pretty bold, and full of what seems to be veiled references to Star Wars, the idea of a smaller (and hopefully less expensive) electric hatchback is surely one of the more grounded ways to approach a design exercise of this kind.
The Concept Three certainly hints at a possible Ioniq 3 somewhere down the line. And spec sheet certainly supports that inference, with dimensions — 168.8-inch length, 76.4-inch width, and 56.2-inch — that puts it squarely in that Kia Soul/Volkswagen Golf territory. Those numbers could change as this vehicle gets closer to production, but it seems like a sure bet that Hyundai is interested in a compact hatchback to help round out its Ioniq lineup, which right now includes the Ioniq 5 crossover, Ioniq 6 sedan, and Ioniq 9 full-size SUV.
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1 / 5 Image: Hyundai
But that’s not why you’re reading this article. You saw the pictures of the Concept Three and you clicked because you want to know WTF is going on with this weird yellow-tinted glass space craft looking vehicle. I don’t blame you. Hyundai is the rare automaker these days that’s still having a bit of fun with its concepts, and I applaud them for it.
The interior is wild, from the sugary yellow and purple accents to the bizarre design choices (seatbelt through the headrest?) to the Easter egg references to a certain iconic science-fiction film scattered throughout. We’ll start there, with sideview cameras that looks like a cross between the Death Star and BB-8. The cockpit and center console seems inspired by a speeder bike. And there’s even an inscription on the rear bumper that reads “May the downforce be with you.”
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