Hyundai Prophecy Concept Is Electric, Autonomous And Frankly Quite Handsome

Hyundai has unveiled the Prophecy concept, a new electric design study that showcases the company’s latest design language and makes promises of quite an appealing electric future from the Korean car maker.

Hyundai’s new electric four-door concept impresses with its balanced clean lines, the extended wheeelbase, short overhangs and arching roofline. Underpinning the Prophecy is a new EV-only architecture according to Hyundai.

“We have brought to life yet another icon that establishes a new standard for the EV segment as well as pushing Hyundai’s design vision to even broader horizons,” said SangYup Lee, Head of Hyundai Global Design Center. “A part of that expansion is what we call Optimistic Futurism, a design concept embodied by ‘Prophecy’. With Optimistic Futurism, our aim is to forge an emotional connection between humans and automobiles.”

Hyundai’s designers were aiming to provide a timeless design along with excellent aerodynamics by adopting an almost crease-free bodywork and propeller-shaped alloy wheels. The tail features an integrated rear spoiler and an extended overhang to aid aero and make the Prophecy look like it’s moving even when stationary.

The pixel lamp lights, which were first seen on the Hyundai 45 concept, are also present on the headlamps, taillights and rear spoiler, with the company saying that these will become a signature design feature in their future models.

The cabin, in typical concept fashion, makes use of the extended wheelbase and the autonomous driving feature by not having a steering wheel at all; instead there’s a pair of futuristic joysticks, one mounted on the door card and the other mounted on the center console that runs across the interior, giving it a strict four-seat layout.

The driver can apparently choose the ‘Relax’ mode, which lets the car drive itself and reclines the seats to clear the view of the passengers from obstacles and let them enjoy the pillar-to-pillar display and the wing-shaped dashboard.

It’s no coincidence that Hyundai chose the name ‘Prophecy’ for its latest concept as the Korean auto maker is believed to be previewing a future high-performance electric vehicle. The next generation of electric models from Hyundai are set to adopt their own design language and if the 45 and Prophecy concepts are telling the truth, we’re in for a treat.