Hyundai has unveiled their vision for a new all-electric SUV, dubbed the Hyundai Concept SEVEN. With this reveal comes alongside it a new step in their IONIQ brand. This new concept is meant to showcase the company’s clear initiatives and commitment to being carbon neutral by 2045. It was also displayed alongside other EV products, such as the IONIQ 5 and the XCIENT Fuel Cell.
This new concept electric SUV is built on the foundations of the brand’s Electric-Global Modular Platform, dedicated for EV vehicles. It allows the SEVEN to deliver a large driving range, as well as ultra-fast charging times. Hyundai has stated that with a 350-kW charger, it only takes 20 minutes to go from 10 percent charge to 80 percent. It was also produced with the aim of achieving an electric driving range of greater than 300 miles.
Autonomous driving capabilities will also be a planned feature of the SEVEN. It will be fitted with a retractable control stick, hiding itself when not being used. This ultra-slim design and unique cabin arrangement give this concept a unique twist on the traditionally designed SUV. The cabin will come with swiveling lounge chairs and even a curved bench. The seat layout can be altered via driver-controlled driving modes or by the autonomous driving system.
This concept car goes further with its lounge-like aspirations, coming with a Universal Island console. Hand-in-hand with this is the host of appliances that are built into the cabin, controlled via the Smart Hub UI. The SEVEN becomes a spacious environment where its passengers can spend time together, complete with chilled drinks from the car’s built-in mini fridge. A shoe-care compartment is also available for keeping the rider’s footwear.
It’s bio-sustainability features start off with the company’s usage of eco-friendly materials when manufacturing the SEVEN. First of these is the use of bio-paint on the exterior, complemented by recycled materials within the interior. These include bamboo wood and carpet, bio-resin, mineral plaster, and other materials that are sourced from renewable sources. Copper and treated fabrics have also been used to bolster the SEVEN’s antibacterial functions, ensuring that the car’s surfaces remain safe.
The safety of passengers also goes beyond that of the typical driver-assistance features we have come to expect. A Hygiene Airflow System was created for the SEVEN, inspired by the airflow management solutions in aircraft. It can be configured in two modes: Horizontal and Vertical.
The Horizontal mode allows air to flow to the rear vents from the dashboard. The Vertical mode allows for air to be taken through built-in intakes and extracted through vents located behind the rear wheels.
These are only some of the advanced features on the SEVEN, representing the vision that the brand has moving forward. This may soon become a proper production model, but only time will tell whether elements of this concept will spread throughout Hyundai’s IONIQ lineup. With this, we hope to see more of this car as the year unfolds.