Meet CRATER, Hyundai's bold new off-road electric SUV concept
Hyundai has introduced the CRATER, a new SUV concept that showcases its plans for off-road capability. Built to tackle rugged terrain, the vehicle features 33-inch off-road tires, skid plates, tow hooks, and multiple auxiliary lights. It also sports a distinctive digital pixel camouflage pattern, similar to that on the IONIQ 5 XRT.
Design features and interior
The CRATER comes with anodized recovery hooks on the front bumper, each adorned with a small figure called "CRATER Man." This character serves as the concept's logo and appears throughout the vehicle, including on exterior accents, seat buckles, and the dashboard. Inside, the SUV's futuristic cabin breaks from tradition, featuring a cylindrical structure suspended by two straps in place of a conventional dashboard.
Tech and performance capabilities
The CRATER comes with four small, removable square screens that display widgets like Spotify. These screens can be completely removed from the car. Hyundai has not revealed much about the mechanical details of this concept SUV but it is likely to use the IONIQ 5's 84.0-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery and dual-motor setup which produces a combined output of 320hp and torque of up to 605Nm.
Off-roading and future prospects
The CRATER is built for off-road adventures, equipped with controls for low range and locking differentials. Although it's not yet clear how these features will function on an EV, their inclusion signals Hyundai's dedication to off-roading. That said, the automaker has no plans to release the CRATER as a direct competitor to the Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler in its current form.