Concept Cars

Hyundai miniaturizes its 45 concept car for use to support hospitalized children

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Dec 18, 2020, 5:56 pm

The new car was designed especially to help hospitalized children.

Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai's 45 concept car was a modern interpretation of the Hyundai Pony Concept that focused on powertrain technology. The 2019 model was the first SUV interpretation of the company's Sensuous Sportiness design aesthetic was shown publicly.

Soon, that concept will be brought to life as the Ioniq 5 midsize crossover. Before that, Hyundai is taking that 45 concept a step further, creating a miniature version of the car for use by young patients at SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital in Spain. The vehicle is part of the Little Big e-Motion project that moves children from their beds to treatment rooms, a journey that is considered one of the most stressful trips for children within the confines of the hospital.

Hyundai 45 Spain concept car hospital kids The vehicle transports children from their rooms to treatment areas of the hospital.Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America

The one-of-a-kind mini EV uses Emotion Adaptive Vehicle Control (EAVC) technology in its role. EAVC is an artificial intelligence-based technology that monitors facial expressions, heart rate and respiratory rate, and combines these readings with input from the vehicle including speed, acceleration, noise and vibration. The technology then processes the data using machine learning to optimize the vehicle environment including lighting, climate, music, and fragrance dispenser systems.

Hyundai continues to work with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab to develop the technology.

Hyundai 45 Spain concept car hospital kids Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America

"We want our technology to help improve the lives of our customers in various mobility spaces beyond the roads," said Jinmo Lee, Senior Research Engineer at Hyundai Motor who led the project. "We hope the EAVC technology on the minicar will provide a fun, safe mobility experience for young patients and help improve their health outcomes."

Hyundai 45 Spain concept car hospital kids Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America

Watch the video below to see how the concept car works at SJD hospital as a young patient prepares for treatment.

Sharing Hearts with Children, Little Big e-Motion Project | Hyundai Motor Group | Giveaway Event www.youtube.com

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New compact pickup truck

Hyundai announces pricing for Santa Cruz pickup

It's small, but the Santa Cruz can do plenty of truck stuff like the big guys.

Hyundai

Looking at American trucks over the years, it's hard to ignore their growing size and price, but 2021 might just be the year that bucks that trend. Earlier in the year, Ford announced the compact Maverick pickup truck, and after months of rumors, Hyundai did the same. The Santa Cruz will be a small unibody pickup designed in California and built in Alabama. Today, the automaker announced pricing for the upcoming vehicle.

Pricing for the Santa Cruz starts at $23,990, which after the $1,185 destination charge comes to $25,175. That reasonable sum buys the base SE trim, which comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. Hyundai estimates that the base engine produces 190 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, while the available turbocharged 2.5-liter engine makes 275 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

Other standard features include:


2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz The Santa Cruz rides on a unibody frame, which gives it a better ride than most trucks.Hyundai


  • 18-inch alloy wheels
  • LED taillights
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Rear occupant alerts
  • Driver attention warnings
  • Lane keeping assist
  • Speed limit warnings
  • Leading vehicle departure alerts

Despite its size and unibody construction, the Santa Cruz does offer traditional truck capabilities. With the base engine on board, the vehicle is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds, and with the turbocharged engine that number increases to 5,000 pounds. The unibody setup also gives the Santa Cruz a more car-like ride and handling, which improves comfort. It's a configuration that is also used by the Honda Ridgeline and the upcoming Ford Maverick pickups.


2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz The Santa Cruz has a useful bed that can be configured a few ways.Hyundai


Hyundai started building the Santa Cruz at its Montgomery, Alabama factory in June. The automaker says that its production will eventually add 1,200 jobs to the facility, and notes that the vehicle will go on sale sometime later this summer. We're heading out to drive the new Santa Cruz in early August, so stay tuned for a first-drive review in a few weeks.

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Bespoke

H.E.R. puts her stamp on a custom Honda Civic Type R

Musical artist H.E.R. has worked with Honda designers to customize a Civic Type R.

Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co. Inc.
H.E.R. graced the stage at the 2021 Honda Civic Tour but before that happens, the R&B singer-songwriter has put her stamp on a custom-designed Honda Civic Type R. This one-off is part of a longstanding tradition of Civic Tour headliners designing a custom Civic.

The unique-looking model is a reflection of H.E.R.'s personal values. Nuance, subtlety, and "sharing your heart" are held high. This all starts with the car's exterior where a deep black matte finish washes over the model while chameleon-tinted headlamps and windows, purple brake calipers and nebula painted trim are presented as intriguing highlights.

Designers worked to customize the cabin as well, adding nebula painted accents and special LED interior lighting that changes colors based on music and sound inside the vehicle by featuring custom colors, moods, brightness levels and rotating color patterns, adjustable by a smartphone.

H.E.R. Unveils Custom ‘Honda Civic Type R’ Presented by the 2021 Honda Civic Tour www.youtube.com

"One of the things that drew me toward the Honda Civic Tour was knowing that I'd be able to design my own vehicle, and out of all Civics, I picked the pinnacle Civic Type R," said H.E.R. "Infusing my personality into all aspects of my performances, and also expressing it through my favorite products, is something that I am passionate about. So being able to create and share my custom Honda Civic Type R with my fans is just so special to me."

H.E.R.'s custom Civic Type R joins Honda vehicles designed by past Civic Tour headliners, including Maroon 5, OneRepublic, Demi Lovato, blink-182, Black Eyed Peas, One Direction, Charlie Puth and more.

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