Hyundai CRATER Concept

Quick look

► A design exploration for future Hyundai XRT (Extreme Rugged Terrain) models

► ‘’Art of Steel’’ design emphasizing strength and capability

► Innovative ideas such side mirrors that function as detachable flashlights/cameras.

► Tech-savvy interior with BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) approach.

Hyundai Motor has a wide model range and for its SUV models, it has an equipment level known as XRT, which stands for ‘Extreme Rugged Terrain’. There are XRT versions available for the IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz truck and Palisade and no doubt others will also be added in future.

To show what Hyundai designers are thinking of for future XRT models, the automaker’s American subsidiary has developed the CRATER concept SUV. To be displayed at AutoMobility LA 2025 in Los Angeles, California, the compact concept SUV is a design exploration that captures the spirit of adventure and has been inspired by extreme environments.

“CRATER began with a question: ‘What does freedom look like?’ This vehicle stands as our answer,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice-President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design. “It is a vision shaped by our unending drive to explore — to inspire our customers to explore deeper and embrace the impact of adventure.”

Versatility and emotion
The rugged appearance shows how the designers aim to incorporate more versatility and emotion into future XRT models. The exterior design was guided by a clear goal: to shape a rugged and capable form that reflects the landscapes that it’s inspired by. This informed every detail — from the chiseled bodysides to the bold skid plates — resulting in a concept that visually communicates strength, resilience, and purpose.

Unique lighting features
The SUV’s unique lighting signature is 3-dimensional in form, creating a layered effect that adds depth and precision. Indirect lighting softly illuminates surrounding surfaces. Auxiliary lights mounted on the roof feature Hyundai’s gradient parametric pixel theme.

The roof platform is also imagined as the ideal mounting point for auxiliary lighting, additional storage, and other off-road accessories.

The CRATER Concept’s 18-inch wheels were inspired by envisioning a hexagonal asteroid impacting a sheer metal landscape, leaving a fractal crater in its aftermath. The design evokes an off-road spirit, blending ruggedness with precision. The wheels are clad in generous 33-inch off-road tyres, enabling superior traction and ground clearance for performance in all environments.

A wide, functional skidplate stretches across the underbody, not only for added protection, but to visually anchor the vehicle. Its sheer surface and robust form express protection and capability. A pair of cables stretching from the bonnet to the roof promise added protection from low-hanging branches on narrow and overgrown trails.

A sheer fender design emphasizes CRATER Concept’s robotic and sculptural character through wide and prominent shoulders with sheer surfaces. Pushed to the extreme, this design feature reinforces the vehicle’s confident, planted stance, showcasing Hyundai’s ‘Art of Steel’ exterior design language.

Dual-function components
The designers also came up with some interesting new ideas that may one day appear on production models. For example, the built-in recovery hooks performs double duty as bottle openers (there are still bottles with caps).

The vehicle’s side-mirrors also double as flashlights and cameras. They can be removed from the vehicle in emergency situations and can be used to take pictures of beautiful scenery or exciting situations.

Designed for tech-savvy
The interior of the CRATER Concept has been designed for tech-savvy adventure-seekers who prize rugged, function-first design and flexibility. Technical shapes are wrapped in soft-yet-durable materials, resulting in a stylish, natural integration that delivers comfort, support, and practicality in any environment.

By leveraging a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) approach, Hyundai suggests a flexible and customizable digital experience that adapts to various situations and individual user preferences.

The unconventional dashboard’s crash pad is shaped like a bent metal sheet, wrapping around the form. Subtle perforations allow soft light to glow through, creating a refined and distinctive aura unique to the concept. A full-width head-up display is a cutting-edge, multi-function display that includes a novel rearview camera mirror feed.

A functional rollcage outlines the cabin, adding tension and strength, while integrated grab handles ease ingress and egress. This exposed structural element provides a reassuring feeling of safety, reinforcing that CRATER Concept is built for confident exploration and resilience.

Will it become a future model?
The CRATER Concept is just a design study and Hyundai Motor has not indicated that it will have such a model in future. But you never know since Hyundai has turned many past concepts into production models and this could be the next Creta…

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