There comes a time when every automaker must reinvent itself, and Hyundai is starting to do just that as it looks to the future. That’s why we’re presented with the Le Fil Rouge Concept. It is said to preview the design language of all future Hyundai vehicles, SUV and car alike, and is considered a “reflection of Hyundai’s belief that its past, present, and future are all connected. All told, it’s a pretty futuristic concept and, while the exterior design could go into production with minimal changes, the interior is just a little too much for today’s market.

What Does Le Fil Rouge Mean?

Hyundai claims the translation of Le Fil Rouge is “common thread,” but if you run that phrase through Google or Microsoft’s translator, you’ll get “the red thread” or “the red wire,” respectively. This holds a little more significance than “common thread.” See, “the Red Thread of Fate” or “Red Thread of Marriage” is a belief of destiny. According to the Korean version of the myth, the gods tie a red thread or cord around the little finger of those destined to meet or be together, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. The thread can never break, despite being stretched, tangled, or frayed. In other words, Hyundai is showcasing its very own destiny.

When you first saw the name, it seemed a little random, didn’t it? Now that you know the real meaning being it, it should seem a little more fitting considering the concept is said to be a representation of Hyundai’s future design language. Hyundai may be a little cryptic here, but when you decipher it, it’s clear that this design is Hyundai’s destiny and you could say that we are, indeed, tied to it regardless of place, time, or circumstance. So, in there case, there’s a hell of a lot in the name.

We see what you did there, Hyundai. Not bad; not bad at all.

Hyundai Le Fil Rouge Exterior Design

While the name might point towards Hyundai’s Destiny, the design itself, as a whole, might be a little more than we’ll ever see on something that comes from a production line. The exterior is dominated by sharp lines, muscular body panels, and a massive pair of wheels. It has a long body with short overhangs, something Hyundai says makes it more natural. The long hood and short greenhouse give it a sporty appearance, but the lack of headlights or taillights show there’s a lot more work to be done before this design language can hit the production line. The rear does feature a very sporty design, possibly the best design Hyundai has ever showcased. It’s that long, slanted roof and the diffuser-like element on the bottom. It’s almost like Hyundai took a chunk of DNA from every sportscar out there and created one eye-catching design.

Ten years ago, I would shoot someone on sight for using the words “Hyundai” and “Muscle car” in the same sentence, but that’s exactly what this looks like: The Hyundai muscle car of the future. Kudos to you, Hyundai, Kudos to you.

Hyundai Le Fil Rouge Interior Design

The Le Fil Rouges interior design is certainly something of the future. We’ve got healthy doses of real wood, leather, and a massive panoramic display that comprises what we must assume is the instrument cluster and infotainment system in one. Hyundai says that it puts “climate control and other vehicle configurations” right in front of the driver. Outside of that Hyundai hasn’t said much else about the interior but we have to admit that it’s quite luxurious. The long center console is reminiscent of something that you would find in a Rolls-Royce or Bentley, and the 2+2 configuration means there is tons of legroom.

Chances are most of the layout will never make it into production, but the display screens (even those on the back of the seat) and the general layout could very well be seen in future cars. If Hyundai really wants to take a stab at the luxury market, this interior has the base DNA it needs to really get the job done. Whether or not the brand could tone it down enough to meet the demands of the current market, without spending too much or hampering the overall feeling of spaciousness and relaxation, is another story but it’s certainly within the realm of possibility.

References

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