Hyundai’s Newest Idea Automotive Comes With Delicate ‘Star Wars’ References

Hyundai simply previewed a brand new idea automotive on the IAA Mobility commerce present in Munich, Germany, and it’s full of delicate Star Wars nods.

The EV, dubbed the Idea THREE, sports activities a futuristic graphite-silver exterior, yellow-tinted home windows, and a moonbeam-yellow inside with purple accents.

Idea THREE is Hyundai’s first compact design for its IONIQ line of EVs. Idea automobiles like this one typically serve a number of functions, together with producing buzz, displaying off an organization’s newest tech, and signaling the course a model would possibly take sooner or later.

For Hyundai, this design hints at a forthcoming growth of its IONIQ lineup, which already features a crossover, a full-size SUV, and a sedan. The latest addition to the IONIQ lineup will seemingly be a hatchback intently modeled on the Idea THREE design.

The corporate mentioned the compact design is aimed squarely on the European market.

“With Europe experiencing a surging demand for compact EVs – pushed by urbanization, sustainability laws and the rising want for space-efficient options – the Idea THREE demonstrates Hyundai Motor’s imaginative and prescient for assembly this demand by drawing on its superior electrification capabilities,” Hyundai mentioned in a press release.

It’s additionally a part of Hyundai’s plans to launch 21 EV fashions world wide by 2030. 

Whereas Hyundai is concentrating on Europe with this small EV design, the general EV market stateside appears a bit shakier. U.S. EV gross sales have began slowing this yr, weighed down by Tesla’s fading popularity attributable to Elon Musk’s persistent involvement in politics.

The Idea THREE’s reveal additionally comes shortly after development of Hyundai’s EV battery plant with LG was paused following an immigration raid at the site, including one other layer of uncertainty for the corporate’s U.S. plans. Hyundai not too long ago promised to extend its U.S. investments to $26 billion.

Star Wars Easter Eggs

The automotive’s futuristic vibe goes past its exterior. Inside, Hyundai goes for a totally customizable expertise with modular widgets that allow drivers tailor the automotive’s tech and interface to their preferences.

Moreover, a whimsical character named Mr. Pix seems all through the automobile’s inside and exterior shows, making a playful and interactive interface for drivers.

However what actually makes this really feel prefer it rolled straight out of sci-fi is its Star Wars easter eggs.

The YouTube channel Electrifying noticed the main ones: Dying Star-shaped sideview cameras and an inscription on the rear bumper that reads “Might the downforce be with you.”

The Verge’s transportation editor additionally observed that the automotive’s inside, steering wheel, and heart console appear to be intently impressed by a speeder bike.