Hyundai Santa Cruz Crossover Truck concept unveiled

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Here’s something a lil’ different from the gaggle of supercars being introduced at the 2015 Detroit motor show. Meet the Hyundai Santa Cruz Crossover Truck concept, developed as an exercise to gauge response from what the firm believes is the second-largest population of car buyers – the millennials.

“The Santa Cruz Crossover Truck concept meets the unspoken needs of a growing Millennial lifestyle we call ‘Urban Adventurers’,” said director of corporate planning for Hyundai North American, Mark Dipko. “This new crossover allows them all the expandable utility they need throughout their active week, from work-life professionalism, to social interests, to a whole variety of outdoor pursuits,” he added.

In styling the Santa Cruz concept, Hyundai has opted for a bolder, chunkier design complimented by its aggressive hexagonal, honeycombed front grille. The honeycomb treatment continues onwards into the headlight design theme, along with the addition of LED fog lamps. Yellow-green twin tow hooks are found on the lower front bumper.

In profile, 22-inch centre-locking two-toned wheels, wrapped in 265/40 Michelin tyres featuring an outrageous tread design, add to the truck’s road-hugging stance. Fluorescent yellow-green Brembo brake calipers hide behind the extravagantly-styled wheels while the side mirrors feature the same colour scheme.

Rear-hinged doors help to mask part of the cabin’s bulk – making it appear as a two-door rather than a four-door at first glance. Unfortunately, Hyundai has sealed off details regarding the car’s interior but ensures that the cabin has ample “seating for five.”

At the rear, things get more interesting with the addition of an “innovative tailgate extension” that allows for a myriad of configurations to suit a range of cargo. By employing a “drawer-like” sliding function, the cargo bed can be expanded to match that of a mid-size pickup.

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Tie-down cleats for securing all sorts of objects are to be found on the wheel arches, roof as well as bed rails. An integrated tonneau cover that retracts when required ensures the truck appeals to individuals who are not keen on an open-bed design as well as aiding in keeping valuable objects out of sight.

As for powertrain options, a sole 2.0 litre, turbodiesel is employed, producing 190 hp and 406 Nm of torque with a fuel consumption rating of 12.8 km/litre. All that power gets put to the road via Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel drive system.

While exact dimensions remain a mystery, the Hyundai Santa Cruz Crossover Truck concept is said to possess a footprint similar to that of a small crossover utility vehicle (CUV) – the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 in the US context – which should suit its intended target audience.

Unfortunately, overexcited millennials who fit the bill will be disappointed to know that Hyundai has yet to mention any concrete plans regarding production of the Santa Cruz concept.

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Gregory Sze

An “actor” by training, Gregory Sze realised that he has had enough of drama in his life. Following his number one passion (acting was actually number two), he decided to make the jump into the realm of automotive journalism. He appreciates the simple things in life – a simple car with nothing but back-to-basics mechanical engineering and minimal electronics on board.

 

Comments

  • Matrix on Jan 13, 2015 at 11:38 am

    truck or supercar.
    My city can smoke this in few seconds

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 38
    • Mozilla Chrome on Jan 13, 2015 at 12:45 pm

      Yes, your car takes 20 sec to reach even that car is 100 meter away at stationary.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
    • MrNoEyesSee on Jan 13, 2015 at 2:05 pm

      Please, stop making us laugh ok?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • ScourgePrime (Member) on Jan 13, 2015 at 5:24 pm

      heh, Santa Cruz can smoke your city in a second in the mud. City is a sleepers,please don’t dreaming about your sleepers.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • Wow, I will buy coz I’m graduated from UCSC…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 5
  • Gajen on Jan 13, 2015 at 11:53 am

    This looks good!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
  • santa on Jan 13, 2015 at 12:01 pm

    Does it give present during Chrismas?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
  • konpem abaikan kereta sedan kalau harga ok

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • Berann on Jan 13, 2015 at 12:19 pm

    Wow… Nice!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • cool !

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • JoeRadzif on Jan 13, 2015 at 12:33 pm

    This will be the perfect transport for any Santa Cruz bike!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Make it double cab n take my money. Wow.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • seancorr (Member) on Jan 13, 2015 at 1:06 pm

    Nice, hopefully production version will follow the concept.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Quite a handsome car, but too bad it won’t probably come to Malaysia. Mid-size truck in the US is huge!

    Btw, will their next car be “Santa Clause”?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  • KCSOO on Jan 13, 2015 at 7:42 pm

    Include real passenger seat then launch it to market with this nice outlook. With the nice Lexus alike mouth/nose design.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
    • KCSOO on Jan 14, 2015 at 12:34 am

      Opps.. Looks in video, it is already equip with real seats. Brilliant design ^^

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Sam Loo (ori1) on Jan 13, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    This one will be great for my export market.

    Would like to see more sorhais buy this pickup so that they will trade them in within 18 months

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • dogymsl on Jan 17, 2015 at 9:51 pm

    Matrix is typical ah beng. always think satria is evo City is limbo.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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