Hyundai has recently unveiled a striking new concept vehicle, and this imaginative creation appears to act as a preview of a forthcoming smaller electric car designed to fit beneath the Ioniq 5 in the company’s range. The styling of this concept is deliberately adventurous, filled with sharp lines, daring features, and an array of subtle—yet unmistakable—visual allusions that seem to borrow inspiration from the cultural universe of *Star Wars*. Despite its theatrical presentation, the underlying proposition is refreshingly pragmatic: the possibility of a more compact and, one hopes, more accessible electric hatchback that blends elevated design experimentation with the practical requirements of everyday transportation.
This design study, named the Concept Three, unmistakably gestures toward the idea of a future production model that could carry the Ioniq 3 designation. Hyundai’s own specifications in many ways reinforce that speculative assumption, as the prototype’s dimensions—presented with notable precision at 168.8 inches in length, 76.4 inches in width, and standing 56.2 inches tall—directly situate the car within the same dimensional territory as popular compact contenders such as the Kia Soul and Volkswagen Golf. Naturally, such numbers may shift when translated into a production-ready automobile, yet the intent is clear: Hyundai is strongly considering a new entry in the compact hatchback category that would broaden and balance the existing Ioniq lineup, which presently comprises the Ioniq 5 crossover, the Ioniq 6 sedan, and the Ioniq 9 full-sized SUV.
Yet, none of that utilitarian context is the real reason most people are paying attention. Let’s be honest—you clicked to see this bizarrely enchanting yellow-glass, spacecraft-like machine and to ask yourself exactly what Hyundai is attempting here. In a marketplace where many automakers have grown increasingly cautious and uniform in their concept vehicle design language, Hyundai distinguishes itself by retaining a sense of playfulness and daring imagination. That willingness to embrace whimsy within ambitious projects is worthy of recognition, and in this case, it has resulted in an interior and exterior that defy conventional automotive expectations.
Step inside the cabin and you are greeted by an audacious composition of sugary yellow and deep purple accents that verge on the surreal, combined with unexpected ergonomic experiments such as designing a seatbelt to emerge directly through the headrest. Layered within this eccentric presentation are a series of sly nods to science-fiction iconography—what one might accurately describe as understated Easter eggs. Consider, for example, the wing-mounted cameras, whose bulbous forms conjure images that fall somewhere between the menacing geometry of the Death Star and the spherical charm of BB-8. The driver’s cockpit and central console give off the impression of machinery borrowed directly from the speeder bikes of that same fictional galaxy. And if the subtlety of those cues fails to register, the most explicit clue resides on the rear bumper, emblazoned with a cheeky inscription proclaiming: “May the downforce be with you.”
Of course, none of these elements are officially acknowledged as deliberate *Star Wars* references in Hyundai’s formal communications. The company’s press materials make no such admissions—almost certainly an intentional choice, since even the slightest overt nod would likely trigger the need for licensing arrangements involving Disney. These connections were instead highlighted by enthusiasts after scrutinizing materials produced outside Hyundai’s control, including a detailed walkaround presented by the *Electrifying* YouTube channel. Whether one interprets them as conscious Easter eggs or merely playful coincidences, their discovery undeniably amplifies the richness of the design, turning a viewing session into something like a scavenger hunt for layered symbols.
Nevertheless, while this concept engages so directly with one of America’s most beloved elements of popular culture, it is equally important to recognize the geographical realities of its ultimate trajectory. Hyundai has been clear: the Concept Three is primarily positioned as a beacon of the company’s intention to expand into the European market for small electric hatchbacks. This rationale holds strong—Europe has proven to be a notably more receptive region for compact EVs, with supportive infrastructure and consumer preferences that align snugly with this form factor. Consequently, the odds of this sophisticated vehicle being produced and shipped to North America are uncertain at best. For now, enthusiasts on this side of the Atlantic will look across oceans, watching European streetscapes for the possibility that the playful spacecraft of Hyundai’s imagination eventually materializes in tangible form.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/774315/hyundai-concept-three-ev-ioniq-3-star-wars
