Hyundai previews oddball 45 EV concept

An eccentric EV concept car that pays homage to the past while looking to the future.

That's the latest creation from Hyundai, whose new retro-designed concept car will be shown on September 10 at the 2019 Frankfurt show.

Dubbed the Hyundai 45, the zany car has a blocky design complete with retro tail-lights and what appears to be an LCD number plate.

Despite the caricaturised styling, Hyundai says the 45 concept is "inspired by looking back at the brand’s first model in the 1970s, the 45", but "…will act as a symbolic milestone for Hyundai’s future EV design".

The all-electric concept car will puportedly explore an evolution of Hyundai's 'Sensuous Sportiness' design language. The design appears to be a small hatchback but details are thin on the ground.

"The new concept accentuates the forward-driven design direction," says the Korean brand, which is now dabbling in literally every single automotive niche available.

As well as EVs such as the IONIQ and Kona, Hyundai also offers a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in the form of the Nexo SUV.

At the other end of the scale is the Hyundai N division, a high-octane, petrol-burning, tyre-frying sub-brand of excitement that is currently testing a mid-engine AWD Veloster RN30 hot hatch that could give Mercedes-AMG A 35 buyers pause for thought.

Hyundai is also looking to challenge the likes of Lexus with its new luxury brand Genesis, which is currently spruiking rear-drive, high-output turbo V6 cars among others.

Stay tuned for more details on Hyundai's courageous new EV concept, which is tipped to make a significant visual impact on the brand's future EV designs.