Hyundai Seven Concept Revealed: 300-Plus-Mile Range, No Steering Wheel
With the all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 expected to arrive in the coming months, the cousin brands are unveiling the next chapter of their electrification efforts at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show: a pair of large, all-electric SUVs. From Hyundai, the Seven concept is an early look at a new SUV that will eventually join the automaker’s Ioniq all-electric sub-brand.
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Preceding the Seven were two other concept electric vehicles: the 45 concept that evolved into the Ioniq 5, and the Prophecy that’s expected to become the Ioniq 6 sedan. The Seven concept arrives as a less-cryptic precursor to what could become the Ioniq 7. Although it appears far from production-ready, the concept hints at the future SUV’s styling, size and range.
Aerodynamic Exterior
Like the Ioniq 5, the Seven concept is built on Hyundai’s E-GMP electric platform. The SUV sports a long wheelbase measuring 126 inches; in comparison, the Hyundai Palisade (the brand’s largest SUV) has a wheelbase of 114.2 inches. Hyundai says the SUV is built for aerodynamics with a low hood, flat roofline and wheels with active air flaps that can deploy or retract. The pixelated lighting seen in Hyundai’s previous concept vehicles makes up the entirety of this SUV’s front and rear lighting, including the headlights and a wraparound light bar in back.
No Steering Wheel, No Problem
Behind the Seven’s coach-style doors is a cabin set up for fully autonomous driving. Hyundai says the vehicle’s lounge seating is intended to emulate a living room, and instead of the traditional seating configuration, swivel chairs make up the first two rows, with a bench seat in the back.
The Seven also comes with built-in appliances like a minifridge and shoe-cleaning compartment. Notably absent inside the Hyundai Seven is a steering wheel, which is replaced with a retractable control stick that hides away when not in use. Since the driver’s eyes wouldn’t have to stay on the road in a fully autonomous vehicle, they can stray to the vehicle’s “Smart Hub” user interface or panoramic roof screen. With no vehicles currently offering true self-driving capability, it’s unlikely to see these interior elements make it into production.
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Germophobe-Approved
The Seven concept eliminates the need to store Clorox wipes inside the glove box. In addition to utilizing antibacterial materials like copper and hygienically treated fabric, the SUV features a hygienic airflow system inspired by passenger airplanes, and a sanitation system to keep the vehicle germ-free for occupants. The air system works in vertical and horizontal modes to isolate airflow between front and rear passengers. When the vehicle is vacant, a sterilization system cleans high-touch surfaces like the control stick, storage drawer and speakers.
Expected Range
Hyundai says the Seven concept has a targeted range of over 300 miles and DC fast-charging capability to charge the SUV from 10% to 80% in approximately 20 minutes using a 350-kilowatt charger. Depending how much “over” 300 miles of range materializes in the production model, the Ioniq 7 could be competitive with the likes of Tesla and other EVs that boast the highest range.
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