GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Hyundai Prophecy EV concept revealed

The Hyundai Prophecy concept has partially broken cover ahead of its Geneva motor show global premiere next month, previewing a "design icon" for the brand that will influence the way its upcoming cars are styled.

Only one image of the EV concept has been revealed but there are strong hints of the Audi TT to its rump, evidenced in the curved roof, super-wide wheel-arches, integrated rear spoiler and low-slung sports car stance.

Designed by Peter Schreyer (the former Kia design chief who now heads up Hyundai Motor Group's entire design team), the original Bauhaus-inspired Audi TT helped forge the German brand's identity from 1998 and created a powerful style icon for the Volkswagen luxury brand.

Hyundai is hoping to do similar with the aptly-named Prophecy concept, which will be unveiled in full on March 3, and could leverage the brand's new compact EV platform.

The Prophecy name "…reflects the concept's purpose, defining the direction of future Hyundai designs, while establishing itself as a design icon for Hyundai's EV lineup," said the Korean car-maker in its press statement.

Evolving the brand's 'sensuous sportiness' design language, which can be glimpsed on the facelifted i30 small car also premiering at the Swiss event, Hyundai has been riding a wave of success in the last decade and clearly wants to stamp its authority on style, not just functionality.

"Prophecy does not follow trends," declared SangYup Lee, Hyundai's global design boss.

"It accentuates timeless beauty that will stand the test of time. Its iconic design stands to expand Hyundai's design spectrum toward even broader horizons."

The days of cheap and cheerful Hyundai cars – like the mid-1990s Excel that sold up storm in Australia – are well and truly over as Korean brand continues to forge a path upmarket with its new vehicles.

Hyundai has confirmed its first ute, the Santa Cruz, for release in 2021 and hopes to offer a second, more robust dual-cab pick-up to rival the Toyota HiLux powered by its grunty new six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

While the new Hyundai Prophecy EV concept is unlikely to grace Hyundai showrooms in Australia any time soon, there's potential for the concept to make the shift to reality if it generates enough public goodwill at the Geneva show and beyond.