High-Tech Problem Solvers

This is what the future of mobility in San Francisco looks like (according to Hyundai)

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Nov 13, 2019, 2:45 pm

Hyundai's Executive Vice Chairman Euisun Chung talks about the future of mobility and cities at the Mobility Innovators Forum.

Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America

They have a vision. Hyundai Motor Group is showcasing its mobility solutions using a stylized version of what the company sees is a version of the future of San Francisco.

The overall aesthetic is like something straight out of the era when Isaac Asimov dared people to dream about Daneel Olivaw solving crimes and the Space Race was exciting school children and their parents alike.

It features a lush paradise, something that anyone who has been to San Francisco recently can attest is a far cry from its modern existence. Drones fly by the Golden Gate Bridge while gardens and water features play prominently.

San Francisco 2050 Hyundai's team has come up with their version of what San Francisco could look like by 2050.Image courtesy of Hyundai Motor America

Rather than robots taking charge, like what the crew from Boston Dynamics would have you believe is imminent, Hyundai is taking a human-centric (and perhaps more realistic) approach to their vision of the future, as presented during a keynote speech delivered by Executive Vice Chairman Euisun Chung at the Mobility Innovators Forum.

Hyundai put forth their philosophy that "technology and innovation should be directed towards serving the needs of people."

"Cities and mobility services were developed for humans from the very beginning," said Chung. "That's why we are making a wide range of efforts to study a human-centered future from a broader humanities perspective."

As a way of following through on their principle, Hyundai Motor Group has set up the Human-Centered City Advisory Group, which is comprised of experts with engineering, urban planning, and psychology backgrounds. Using their input, the Group has been developing a blueprint for future cities over the last year with the goal of publishing the research results by 2020.

Hyundai Motor Group has also been conducting the 2050 Future City Project to make predictions on future cities in different regions to serve as a guideline for future smart city development.

The Mobility Innovators Forum is a conference hosted by Hyundai CRADLE that is deigned to bring together leaders in the technology, energy, policy, design, and academia fields to discuss challenges and opportunities in development.

Hyundai CRADLE is Hyundai Motor Group's corporate venturing and open innovation business, which partners and invests in global startups in a number of fields.

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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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2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers tantalizing charging times

The 2022 IONIQ 5 will feature futuristic styling.

Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was announced earlier this year, but today we learned quite a bit more about the new EV, including that it will sport some impressive charging figures. As the automaker's first dedicated electric vehicle, the Ioniq 5 rollout is an important one, and will take place in stages across late 2021 and early 2022.

Hyundai will offer the Ioniq 5 with two different electric motor options. The base configuration includes a single motor that produces 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and is paired with two-wheel drive. This configuration will be capable of up to 300 miles of range per charge. The upgraded model will come with a dual-motor system and all-wheel drive. It derives a total of 320 horsepower from its motors and can reach 60 mph from a standstill in five seconds. The speedier Ioniq 5's range will reach up to 244 miles on a charge.

2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 The IONIQ 5 is Hyundai's first dedicated EV.Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America

The Ioniq 5's most impressive specs, however, are in its charging speeds. The vehicle supports 800-volt charging and can run 400-volt charging without the need for additional adapters or hardware. Hyundai says it's the first patented technology that uses the motor and inverter to boost 400 volts to 800 volts, which will equate to blazing charging speeds. The Ioniq 5 can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in 18 minutes, and can regain up to 68 miles of range with just a five minute charge using a 350-kW fast charger. The car can fully recharge in 6 hours and 43 minutes using Level 2 charging.

To provide juice for that fast charging, Hyundai is working with Electrify America to provide over 600 charging stations to owners of the Ioniq 5. Hyundai will also give buyers free charging across the Electrify America network with unlimited 30-minute sessions for two years following the date of purchase.

2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 The vehicle can provide power for other electric devices.Photo courtesy of Hyundai

EVs are increasingly offering the ability to provide power for other things, which is a trick that the Ioniq 5 will be able to pull off. Hyundai says that it will have the ability to recharge any electric device, including scooters, bicycles, or camping equipment, and notes that it will even be able to provide power to another EV. The function is called V2L, or vehicle-to-load, and provides up to 1.9 kW power using a standard 120-volt outlet. The Ioniq 5's charging port provides power through an available accessory adaptor.

The Ioniq 5 will start hitting dealers' lots this fall, but availability will vary depending on where you live. Buyers in states that are California EV-compliant will get the vehicle first, with others to follow at some point in 2022.

2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Two 12-inch displays grace the IONIQ 5's dash.Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America

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