Hyundai resurrected an iconic 1980's model as a sleek, 21st century electric car

Tim LevinNov 17, 2021, 03:05 IST

Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur EV concept.Hyundai

Hyundai revealed an electric concept that brings an iconic 1980s car into the 21st century.
The Grandeur EV's exterior screams 1986, but it's been updated with screens and electric power.

Concept cars usually offer a glimpse at the future, whether it's an autonomous, steering wheel-less pod or something a bit closer to reality.

Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur EV concept.Hyundai

But some of the coolest one-offs tend to be throwbacks to the past. Case in point: Hyundai's electric Grandeur concept unveiled last week.

Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur EV concept.Hyundai

Hyundai took the 1986 Grandeur sedan and launched it into the 21st century with an electric powertrain and techy interior.

Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur concept.Hyundai

The result is quite possibly the perfect mix of unmistakably '80s aesthetics and modern touches.

Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur concept.Hyundai

From the outside, the Grandeur looks right out of 1986, except for its LED headlights and taillights, which have a gridded, pixelated design.

Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur EV concept.Hyundai

Hyundai put the same sort of taillights in its upcoming electric SUV, the Ioniq 5.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5.Hyundai

The blocky, grid design also shows up in the Ioniq 5's headlights.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5.Hyundai

Inside, the Grandeur gets an ultra-wide touchscreen instead of analog gauges, dials, and buttons.

Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur EV concept.Hyundai

Other than that, though, the interior is delightfully retro, with cushy velvet seats and other over-the-top vintage touches.

Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur concept.Hyundai

The seat backs are finished in red leather.

Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur EV concept.Hyundai

Infinity mirrors in the ceiling give the back seat the feel of some dim booth in a chic 1980s restaurant.

Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur concept.Hyundai

Cigarette lighters and ashtrays that used to be commonplace in cars are long gone. But the Grandeur has a spot for your cigars.

Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur EV concept.Hyundai

The center console has a hidden drawer for valuables.

Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur concept.Hyundai

And you get a giant lever for a gear selector. No subtle buttons here.

Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur EV concept.Hyundai

Speakers are embedded in a bronze-colored light feature that stretches around the cabin.

Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur EV concept.Hyundai

The Grandeur concept is part of Hyundai's Heritage Series of restomods — that is, restored and modified cars.

Hyundai Heritage Series Pony.Hyundai

Earlier this year Hyundai revealed an electrified take on the Pony, a hatchback it sold starting in 1975.

Hyundai Heritage Series Pony.Hyundai

The Pony also got Hyundai's signature pixelated lights.

Hyundai Heritage Series Pony.Hyundai

Hyundai also gave it cameras where the side-view mirrors would be. That's a feature that's not legal in the US yet, but could make its way onto roads in the near future.

Hyundai Heritage Series Pony.Hyundai

Hyundai also gave it cameras where the side-view mirrors would be. That's a feature that's not legal in the US yet, but could make its way onto roads in the near future.

Inside, the Pony, like the Grandeur concept, is equal parts new and old.

Hyundai Heritage Series Pony concept.Hyundai

Needless to say, Hyundai will never put either of these cars into production. And it's a darn shame — because who doesn't want a new-school electric car wrapped up in old-school charm.

Hyundai Heritage Series Pony.Hyundai

Needless to say, Hyundai will never put either of these cars into production. And it's a darn shame — because who doesn't want a new-school electric car wrapped up in old-school charm.

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Hyundai resurrected an iconic 1980's model as a sleek, 21st century electric car

Concept cars usually offer a glimpse at the future, whether it's an autonomous, steering wheel-less pod or something a bit closer to reality.

But some of the coolest one-offs tend to be throwbacks to the past. Case in point: Hyundai's electric Grandeur concept unveiled last week.

Hyundai took the 1986 Grandeur sedan and launched it into the 21st century with an electric powertrain and techy interior.

The result is quite possibly the perfect mix of unmistakably '80s aesthetics and modern touches.

From the outside, the Grandeur looks right out of 1986, except for its LED headlights and taillights, which have a gridded, pixelated design.

Hyundai put the same sort of taillights in its upcoming electric SUV, the Ioniq 5.

The blocky, grid design also shows up in the Ioniq 5's headlights.

Inside, the Grandeur gets an ultra-wide touchscreen instead of analog gauges, dials, and buttons.

Other than that, though, the interior is delightfully retro, with cushy velvet seats and other over-the-top vintage touches.

The seat backs are finished in red leather.

Infinity mirrors in the ceiling give the back seat the feel of some dim booth in a chic 1980s restaurant.

Cigarette lighters and ashtrays that used to be commonplace in cars are long gone. But the Grandeur has a spot for your cigars.

The center console has a hidden drawer for valuables.

And you get a giant lever for a gear selector. No subtle buttons here.

Speakers are embedded in a bronze-colored light feature that stretches around the cabin.

The Grandeur concept is part of Hyundai's Heritage Series of restomods — that is, restored and modified cars.

Earlier this year Hyundai revealed an electrified take on the Pony, a hatchback it sold starting in 1975.

The Pony also got Hyundai's signature pixelated lights.

Hyundai also gave it cameras where the side-view mirrors would be. That's a feature that's not legal in the US yet, but could make its way onto roads in the near future.

Inside, the Pony, like the Grandeur concept, is equal parts new and old.

Needless to say, Hyundai will never put either of these cars into production. And it's a darn shame — because who doesn't want a new-school electric car wrapped up in old-school charm.