Hyundai has lifted the covers (almost) on its latest design study, the IONIQ Concept THREE, ahead of its world premiere at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. The newcomer is set to preview Hyundai’s first compact EV under the IONIQ sub-brand, and the early signs suggest it will bring a dramatic new twist to the segment.
The latest teaser image reveals the car in profile, showcasing what Hyundai calls the ‘Aero Hatch’. This new body style reimagines the traditional compact EV silhouette, with a flowing roofline, sharp and a distinctive ‘duck-tail’ rear spoiler. It’s all part of the company’s ‘Art of Steel’ design philosophy, which draws inspiration from the way steel can be shaped and sculpted into dynamic forms.
While Hyundai is keeping most of the technical details firmly under wraps, the Concept THREE suggests a model that could sit somewhere between hatchback and coupe, with proportions aimed squarely at younger urban buyers. Given that Ford’s best-selling Puma takes a similar form, Hyundai’s approach appears to be a logical one.
The debut in Munich marks Hyundai’s return to Europe’s biggest mobility showcase after a four-year absence, signalling just how important the European market will be for its next wave of EVs.
Although there’s no word yet on powertrains, range or production plans, the Concept THREE previews Hyundai’s next step in electrification. The concept is likely to influence not just a single model, but the broader design direction of the IONIQ family in the years ahead. The brand has previously talked about its ‘chess board’ approach to the IONIQ range, where the ‘board’ is the IONIQ brand but the pieces all take on a different form. Whether this marks a departure from that concept remains to be seen.
Hyundai will reveal the car in full on September 9th, where we’ll find out whether the Concept THREE is simply a design study—or a very close preview of a new compact electric model set to join the IONIQ line-up.
