At this year’s New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), Hyundai surprised everyone by presenting this, the Boulder Concept. The body-on-frame design study serves not just to celebrate the brand’s 40th anniversary in the United States, but also as a preview for the brand’s first-ever off-road SUV.
While Hyundai does offer XRT variants of its main production cars, they are in no way dedicated off-roaders. As such, the company is looking to barge into a world occupied by the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner with a vehicle that looks the part. The Boulder Concept is the first step to such a model, although a production version is only due by 2030.
The design philosophy applied to the concept is referred to as ‘Art of Steel’ and sees a boxy design paired with sleek lines. Hyundai clearly knows what Americans want, as the SUV looks properly tough and rugged with its upright stance, chunky fender flares and oversized 37-inch mud-terrain tyres. To directly quote the company, “this is a design concept built on American values and American life, tailor made for those looking to confidently blaze new trails with security and purpose.”
At the front of the Boulder Concept is a wide grille bookended by stacked headlamps, while the bumper sports a skid plate. There’s also a grooved bonnet, along with large side mirrors and a light bar attached to roof rails.
The rear mimics the general look of the front, with vertical taillights on either side of the rather novel tailgate that is double hinged and sports a mounted full-size spare wheel as well as a powered window. The prominent skid plates and side rockers are said to allow for “aggressive” approach, departure and breakover angles.
Visibility is also a strong suit, with dual safari-style upper windows and rear quarter windows that wrap around the rear most pillars. There are even rear-hinged doors for the second row to make loading adventure gear into the cabin easier.
The “tough” theme continues on the inside with large grab bars that are accompanied by equally sizeable physical knobs and buttons. Raised surfaces are seen on many touchpoints, including what looks to be the gear selector that has its linkage exposed. This being a concept, it’s likely not everything you see here will make the cut, such as the full-width head-up display and four individual screens showing various information.
Hyundai says it’s still early days for its body-on-frame platform development, but it has established important ground rules for vehicles that will eventually reach dealerships. The Boulder Concept is said to spawn models that are designed, developed and built in the US using Hyundai-produced steel. This isn’t the first time Hyundai toyed with the idea of a dedicated off-roader, as there was the Crater Concept – a compact off-road SUV – presented last November.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
wawasan 2030 can get this body on frame with ssangyong spirit