Hyundai has said it won’t look like the concept, but will it be similar to this?
Introduced more than four years ago as a concept (pictured below), the Santa Cruz is still nowhere to be found in production form at a Hyundai dealer regardless of where you’re living. Those in the market for something new in the compact pickup truck segment will have to wait a while for a road-going version of the concept as the latest reports are pointing towards a launch sometime in 2020.
Hyundai’s man in charge of design, Luc Donckerwolke, revealed late last year “the process to put it into production is now underway,” having completed the final design. While the concept’s appearance was undoubtedly interesting, the Santa Cruz you’ll be able to buy won’t take after the 2015 showcar. SangYup Lee, the head of Hyundai’s Global Design Center in Namyang, Korea, has said the original look conceived using the old design language has been scrapped.
Instead, the utilitarian vehicle will boast a fresh new look using as a foundation the company’s latest design approach. Our render attempts to see into the future of the Santa Cruz, keeping the extended cab body style, but adapting the styling to match the new Palisade flagship SUV. Bear in mind Hyundai has pledged to put an end to the Russian dolls theme by giving each model its own distinctive look. What that means is the Santa Cruz will stand out, with SangYup Lee promising “a lot more character.”
Looks aside, the Santa Cruz is expected to ride on the same platform as the next-generation Tucson compact crossover and could spawn an equivalent Kia version. While the concept came with a diesel engine, it would make more sense for the U.S.-spec production model to feature a gasoline-fed powertrain. It’s unclear whether the compact size and the body style will be retained, but there’s a good chance the concept’s rear suicide doors won’t make it to the assembly line.
The Santa Cruz is earmarked for a North American launch whereas a potential Kia counterpart in the U.S. has already been ruled out.
- Share on Facebook
- Share on Twitter
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share on Flipboard
- Pin It
- Share on Reddit
- Share on WhatsApp
- Send to email
Source: Read Full Article