Sometimes, breakthrough ideas don’t come from the boardrooms of seasoned designers but from the fresh perspectives of students, unbound by corporate thinking. This was proven when Hyundai collaborated with the Munich University of Applied Sciences in Germany, challenging transportation design students to envision a bold, futuristic high-performance vehicle.
The result was the birth of the Hyundai Obsidian, a sports car concept that is both fresh and familiar. The Hyundai Obsidian was unveiled in Germany and is a collaboration between Hyundai and transportation design students.
The project stemmed from a simple yet open-ended question by Eduardo Ramirez, head of Hyundai Design Europe: “What could the next user experience for Hyundai be?” From there, the students began exploring a more mature and refined angle, moving beyond Hyundai’s inherent orientation.
The challenge was not just to fine-tune the car but also to refine the vision. The winning proposal came from transportation design student Dominik Anders, who envisioned a next-generation Hyundai with a spacious cabin and a touch of luxury.
The Hyundai Obsidian is a 5-door sports car with a monobloc design, reminiscent of the Honda 0 Saloon’s form language. It’s unclear if Hyundai’s “designer of the future” and Honda’s design team exchanged ideas, but the two vehicles bear a striking resemblance.
The similar-looking Honda prototype. Source: JD Power
The low-slung concept has a flat nose, pixel LED lighting, and a minimalist front. The windshield flows seamlessly into the hood, similar to the Tesla Cybertruck. The prominent front splitter features active aerodynamics for a sporty look, accented by red details on the large alloy wheels. The aggressive body kit includes flared fenders, sculpted side sills, and a substantial rear diffuser, creating a harmonious whole.
The Obsidian may remain a concept. Source: Hyundai
The Hyundai Obsidian was showcased at the Car Design Event 2025 in Munich, alongside other Korean automotive manufacturer concepts: the Kia EV2, Hyundai Initium, and Genesis X Gran Convertible.
Hyundai shared a video of the Obsidian on Facebook, describing it as “stunning.” Visually, it’s undoubtedly appealing, but one can’t ignore the overlap with the soon-to-be-produced Honda 0 Saloon. In contrast, the Obsidian may remain a concept, its future limited to auto shows and sketchbooks.
As this is purely a design study, no official information about the powertrain has been released.
The Top 10 Best-Selling Cars of April 2025: VinFast Dominates, Xpander Almost Misses Out
The Vietnamese automotive market in April 2025 continues to be dominated by VinFast’s electric trio: the VF 5, VF 3, and VF 6. Meanwhile, there has been a shuffle in the internal combustion engine segment.
The Top Car Sellers in Vietnam: Unveiling the Brands that Dominated the Market in 2024
The automotive industry in Vietnam is brimming with intense competition as Hyundai, Toyota, and VinFast go head-to-head for the coveted title of the top-selling car brand in 2024. With each company bringing their A-game to the table, the race to the finish line promises to be thrilling.
Selling Over 9,200 Cars in November, Hyundai Breaks Toyota’s Winning Streak but Still Falls Short of Being the Best-Selling Car Brand in Vietnam for 2024
Hyundai’s November performance was largely driven by strong sales of its Accent, Tucson, Santa Fe, and Creta models.
The Korean Car Conundrum: Why Japanese Rivals Are Winning the Race
The Korean auto giants have lost their stronghold in the Vietnamese market due to a variety of factors, including a perceived lack of durability when compared to other automotive brands, and a significant depreciation in resale value.
The Hyundai Cusitin: Now with a Massive Discount of Over 50 Million VND at Dealerships Nationwide – Starting Price Slashed to Below 800 Million, Offering More for Less and Rivaling the Base Model Toyota Innova.
Despite its larger size and more spacious interior, the Hyundai Custin boasts a price tag comparable to that of the Toyota Innova/Innova Cross.
