Last updated on April 28th, 2020 at 09:02 am
Imagining a car that combines the class and charm of vintage cars with the most cutting-edge automotive technology might not bring South Korean Hyundai to mind immediately. But that's what you experience with the new all-electric Hyundai Prophecy concept EV. Without copying either, it's reminiscent of a Porsche 911 and a Mercedes CLS. In a new walk-around video, Hyundai Motor Group’s Chief Design Officer Luc Donckerwolke showed to the public some of the key features inside and outside the vehicle.
Its dynamic shape and rear spoiler give it a sporty appearance, and propeller-shaped wheels reduce air resistance. We, at WhichEV, are pleasantly surprised with the look of the car as its aerodynamics seem to allow the car to effortlessly move like an arrow cutting through air.
We could not agree more with the words of Donckerwolke as he says that the car has Sensuous Sportiness.
The interiors of the car are also very intriguing. Every videogame enthusiast will definitely enjoy the fact that rather than a steering wheel mounted high on the dashboard in front of the driver, Prophecy is controlled by dual joysticks located left and right from the driver.
According to Hyundai this innovative design will make the interiors even more spacious and 90 percent of the vehicle’s functions will be controlled via buttons on the joysticks, so there will be no need for the driver to take their hands off the joysticks to change the music. They say that this ergonomic setup called Intuitive Human Interface will increase passenger safety as well as visual freedom.
The South Korean company not only decided to revolutionise the steering wheel but also introduced new elements to improve car seating. There will be a feature called Smart Posture Care System (SPCS) that will allow drivers to enjoy an optimised seating position based on their individual physical characteristics. The driver will either adjust the seat manually to fit their preferences or allow the car to suggest a smart seating position for them. In smart mode, the driver will enter their height, seated height, and weight, and the car will automatically adjust to the driver’s individual physical condition.
Hyundai has decided to improve every single aspect of driving, even waiting time. Have you ever waited outside a friend’s house forever, while they are getting ready? Well, the automaker has made that less stressful now, thanks to the new relax mode. When not driving, the car can be used in relax mode where the seats recline, and the dashboard swivels upwards, creating the optimal seating position from which to enjoy the content shown on the display. Because of the lack of a steering wheel, the occupants have virtually zero visual obstacles.
Prophecy is a zero-emissions electric vehicle that also cleans the air. Thanks to a unique air filtration system with a fine dust sensor built into the vehicle. When particle levels inside the vehicle get too high, the air system activates, taking in fresh air from the outside, filtering it for purity, and circulating the clean air throughout the vehicle. This process is constantly happening not just when the car is driving, even when it is idling or charging, and even if no one is inside.
For that reason, owners will not be able to open the windows of the car as the dual-pane glass are locked in place. When the air inside the vehicle grows stale, fresh air is taken in via intake valves at the front of the vehicle. When no fresh air inside the car is needed, the filtered air is pumped back into the outside world via two outlets at the bottom of the side doors. According to Hyundai this system is significantly more energy efficient than a traditional ventilation system.
At WhichEV, we cannot wait to check out the Prophecy on the road and take a closer look at the new peculiar systems that it has in place.
Watch the unveiling of the Hyundai Prophecy below:
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