Hyundai will launch an all-new electric compact crossover in 2021 based on the futuristic 45 concept, a company spokesperson has confirmed to South Korean news agency Yonhap.
A nod to Hyundai’s first ever concept vehicle, the 1974 Pony Coupe, the retro-inspired yet very forward-looking 45 concept was unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show bringing the sharp wedge styling of the Pony into the age of electric transport.
Now, a spokesperson from Hyundai has confirmed that it will produce the new compact crossover utility vehicle (CUV), codenamed “NE”, at its factory southeast of the South Korean capital of Seoul, Yonhap reports.
There is as yet no timeline for the vehicle’s production, with negotiations with the worker’s union not yet underway.
“But the company has yet to consult with the union on proceeding with the new electric model’s production,” the spokesperson who talked with Yonhap was quoted as saying.
The new electric crossover has been spotted during testing, with various media outlets such as Inside EVs sharing images.
Spotter’s photos of the Hyundai NE give little away as to how true to form the production version of the 45 concept will be, nor are there solid details on what specifications such as battery size and driving range will be.
There may be some clues drawn however from reports of sibling brand Kia’s new model that The Driven reported on Monday.
As The Driven reported, Kia will also produce another electric model in 2021 that will rival the Porsche Taycan in its performance and charging characteristics.
Kia’s high-performance electric vehicle, codenamed “CV”, will form a halo model with 480+km driving range and be available in a range-topping GT format.
It will be built on the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP electric platform, and there is no reason to assume this would be otherwise for the Hyundai NE.
Previous reports from Business Korea suggested that the Hyundai NE would first be built in Chin, and later at an overseas plant if production went smoothly.
In January 2019, the Chinese government stipulated that all car makers producing more than 30,000 units a year in China must allocate a minimum 10% output to electric vehicles.
“Electrification may be a great opportunity for Hyundai Motor, which is having difficulties in China,” an industry insider was quoted as saying by Business Korea.
“I understand that Hyundai Motor is considering applying electrification to its production facilities.”
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Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.