Hyundai has revealed in full the two new Ioniq electric car concepts that it teased last week, called Earth and Venus.
You don't seem as excited about this as you might...
That's because, alas, these new concepts preview new electric models that will be specifically for the Chinese market, so it's a case of look but don't touch for us. Having said that, it's more than likely that the look and feel of these two cars will influence future global and European models, so let's dive in...
Which one is the Earth?
The Earth (and Hyundai's plan is that future Ioniq models will get proper names, inspired by astronomy, rather than just numbers) is a chunky SUV which seems to have taken some inspiration from Tesla's Cybertruck (look at that dramatically raked windscreen) and also from Gerry McGovern's 'Judge Dredd' Land Rover concepts of the 1990s (check out the hefty cladding and the geometric surfaces).
It's certainly a striking thing to look at, and the ultra-rugged 4x4 appearance is incredibly popular in China right now, so it's likely that the future production Earth will stick closely to this style.
Inside, there's a set of reclining individual seats filled with small adjustable air pockets, which Hyundai has dubbed 'air-hug'. In spite of the big touchscreen on the dash, Hyundai says that the cabin uses 'shy tech' (which usually means buttons and screens are tucked discreetly away until you need them) to create a "calm and breathable space.”
What about Venus?
If you thought the Earth was striking to look at... The Venus seems to continue Hyundai's recent trend of glancing back to the 1970s (Ioniq 5, Heritage Grandeur, N74) for some styling inspiration, and the incredible wedge-shaped Venus looks as if it could have rolled off the set of Thunderbirds or Captain Scarlett.
The exterior is finished in a dramatic 'Radiant Gold' colour, and Hyundai says that it has used a "frame structure” for the roof to cut down on weight. There's also a transparent spoiler - something previously employed by the Hyundai Concept Three.
The cabin of the Venus gets a deep centre console that creates a wraparound feel for the driver, while physical switches are entirely abandoned and control subordinated to the massive screen that stretches almost all the way across the dashboard. To give the Venus a true luxury feeling, the cabin is upholstered in suede and even has little flashes of gold embellishment.
Will these cars go into production?
Hyundai has a habit of showing concept cars that do, eventually, reach full production so the Venus and Earth could be hitting Chinese streets in some form or another in the next couple of years.
It's not known if they will use the same 'E-GMP' electric car platform as the Hyundais Ioniq 5, 6, and 9 as Hyundai has also spoken of market-specific solutions, but it's certainly possible.
Will they influence the next generation of Ioniq models sold in Europe? Almost certainly. Simon Loasby, Hyundai's head of design, said: "We chose to be 'The Origin'. Something entirely new - recognisable at a glance from a distance, with a powerful presence on the road, and delivering what we call a 'Best in First Impression'. 'The Origin' is our declaration: 'Lead, don't follow'. It is the point from which our movement begins. Our ambition is to set a new direction.”