They’re alive! Hyundai showcases four evolutionary concepts at IDEA Festival

By Andrew Hard October 24, 2014

Hyundai Golden Time Rescue — Image used with permission by copyright holder

There are many different types of ‘cool.’

Depending on your era, you might think the slick-haired greasers of the ‘50s were cool. Maybe you love cutting edge tech, so nothing beats Tony Stark’s Iron Man suit. Perhaps you like hot rods, medieval architecture, marine science, or fashion. To someone, somewhere, everything is awesome.

But then there’s ‘weird cool,’ and that’s an appeal that’s hard to nail down. Especially in cars. Whatever it is, whatever separates the adorably eccentric vehicles from the rest; Hyundai’s engineers have it.

According to Car Scoops, Hyundai showcased four new concepts at the IDEA Festival in South Korea, where scientists, engineers, and thinkers from all around the world meet.

Related: Look away, Grandpa! Hyundai unveils 550-horsepower modified Genesis for SEMA

You wouldn’t expect to find conservative people-carriers at the event, and the prototypes revealed by Hyundai didn’t appoint.

The first, the Golden Time Rescue (above), has unquestionably the best name. This pint-sized GTR is a one-seater rescue vehicle, with wheels that adjust in size to accommodate any terrain.

Hyundai Carry U — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The next is the smallest, and it’s called the Carry U Scooter. It can be configured as a luggage carrier or a scooter like a tiny practical Megazord, and presumably uses a battery to travel small distances.

Hyundai Length and Width — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Length and Width concept is next, which doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. Its designative awkwardness translates into the aesthetics as well, as the tubular frame looks like a strange, futuristic chariot. It’s able to adjust its size on a horizontal axis too, hence the name.

Hyundai Car-Meleon — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The last concept is the Car-Meleon, and well, it adapts. Unlike a lizard, which changes its coloring to protect itself, the fugly Car-Meleon changes its shape for practical reasons. The fabric-covered vehicle can manifest as a sedan, an RV, or a truck.

Some of these look like something out of Pixar, and others look like they just rolled out of an Apple store. Don’t let the capitalistic references fool you though, these creations are completely unique, creative, and just plain cool.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Hyundai

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Cars

Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations

The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.