Reflection of times past

Hyundai has celebrated the 35th anniversary of its 1986 Grandeur flagship sedan with a futuristic resto-mod. 

The company developed the Heritage Series Grandeur to shed light on the original’s significance and find inspiration for future.

Its design team has reinterpreted the first-generation Grandeur as an all-electric car with the parametric pixel exterior lighting that distinguishes its new Ioniq 5 production model, and an ultra-modern interior wrapped in burgundy velvet and leather.

The exterior has retro charm with modern updates, such as new side mirrors, covered wheels, slide cladding, and the LED head and tail-lights.

Designers have also applied a “newtro” – that’s “newness plus retro”, apparently – theme to stimulate passengers’ senses with bronze-coloured lighting reminiscent of period audio equipment but with a modern sound system.

The front seats are fitted with burgundy velvet, inspired by the original Grandeur, with the unexpected twist of stitched and laced auburn napa leather on the back. The centre console armrest contains a hidden pop-out compartment for storing valuables.

Latest technologies have been integrated alongside retro-cool hardware by the design team. They have replaced dials and buttons on the dash with an ultra-wide, touch-enabled flat-screen display, but have maintained the “1980s vibe” with a single-spoke steering wheel and airplane-style gear selector.

The bronze light beam that begins at the left and right ends of the dashboard extends around the cabin, penetrating the B-pillars and casting a hue across the interior. “Infinity mirrors” reflect the light, giving the second row a wider sense of space.

Having reimagined its 1975 Pony and 1986 Grandeur as EV concepts, Hyundai says its designers will continue to rediscover “values of legacy” through its Heritage Series.