Hyundai has unveiled the Boulder Concept, an SUV-style design study that previews a new fully boxed body-on-frame platform. This platform will underpin a future Hyundai bakkie and was shown to the public at the New York International Auto Show.
The Boulder Concept is a product of Hyundai’s “Art of Steel” design philosophy. Hyundai describes it as a vehicle where “every aspect… has been designed to provide the freedom to pursue extreme adventures.”
On the rugged side, the concept aims the part with adventure in mind: it features aggressive approach and departure angles, generous ground clearance and water-fording depth, plus 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 37-inch mud-terrain tyres. Recovery hooks with reflective material are also included.
The Boulder Concept also showcases two safari-style fixed upper windows, a low-profile roof rack with steel webbing for extra carrying capacity, and spotlights. Hyundai says the Boulder Concept is meant to be a “blank canvas” onto which accessories can easily be added.
Stepping inside through “coach-style” doors with reflective door handles, the interior is built with robust materials for key touchpoints. There are several physical switches and knobs on the dashboard, and a real-time off-road guidance system helps with confident off-road adventures. A display across the base of the windscreen provides the driver with essential information.
“Our body-on-frame Boulder Concept SUV is a four-wheeled love letter to the dynamic, off-road way of life that many customers have been asking us for in our future-focused research,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design Centre at Hyundai Motor Company. “We are confident that something like this ultra-capable Hyundai SUV concept could more than fulfil the needs of this exclusive group of adventure seekers.”
