Palisade

Make
Hyundai
Segment
SUV

Originally planned to be revealed at this year's Geneva Motor Show, Hyundai has just pulled off the online sheets, so to speak, of its latest concept, the Prophecy EV. If this design looks a bit familiar to you then you're not alone. We noticed some traces of Porsche thanks to its rounded silhouette and general curvy lines, but there are plenty of significant other differences. Hyundai describes the Prophecy Concept as being inspired by its "Sensuous Sportiness" design language.

Furthermore, it embodies "Optimistic Futurism" because it emphasizes the "emotional link between humans and automobiles." It's certainly a striking design nearly unlike anything we've seen from Hyundai's current crop of production vehicles, such as the new Hyundai Palisade, which features a more angular and aggressive styling tone.

"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," SangYup Lee, director of Hyundai's design center, comments. "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."

This concept also rides on a new electric vehicle platform which Hyundai says allows for the use of "pristine surfaces and pure volume in combination with aesthetic harmony and functionality." Picking up from where last year's 45 concept left off, the Prophecy basically takes the styling language to the next level, such as pixel lights being used for the headlights, taillights, and spoiler. In fact, Hyundai says these pixelated lights will be carried over to future production vehicles in the near future.

Inside, this new concept lacks a traditional steering wheel, which has been replaced by a pair of joysticks capable of providing "a completely new yet reassuringly familiar and intuitive driving experience." Hyundai says this new and advanced interface allows drivers to control the vehicle's other function more easily and safely compared to today's vehicles.

We still don't whether or not the Prophecy Concept officially represents the next stage of design for the South Korean automaker, but we wouldn't at all be disappointed if that's the case.