What matters is the number 3 written out in full and in capital letters, THREE, to indicate that this concept isn\u2019t simply a show car but a prelude to a production car \u2013 the Ioniq 3, it\u2019s easy to assume \u2013 with which the Korean manufacturer is offering two firsts: after its medium and large electric models, this is its first compact EV, but it\u2019s also the first Hyundai to fully adopt, following the previews with the Ioniq 9 and Nexo, the new Art of Steel design philosophy that will now accompany every model.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Hyundai](\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2026010902_HyundaiThree.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Inspired by steel<\/strong><\/span> A language of sculptural beauty<\/strong><\/span> A protective film<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u201cThe effects of this new philosophy,\u201d says Nicola Danza, \u201care particularly visible in the lateral intersection of volumes between front and rear. The inspiration came precisely from steel and its malleability, which gave us the opportunity to refresh our design language.\u201d
\nDanza is Head of Exterior Design at Hyundai Motor Europe, where the THREE concept was developed. He worked closely with the top management in Korea, particularly with Simon Loasby, who serves as vice president alongside Head of Hyundai Design Center, and SangYup Lee, Head of Hyundai Global Design.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nBecause the automotive world is a world of steel, the Korean manufacturer\u2019s designers respond in unison. Art of Steel, in their intentions, transforms the strength and flexibility of steel into a language of sculptural beauty. Inspired by Hyundai’s advanced technologies, the natural formability of this material reveals fluid volumes and precise lines that evoke the characteristic aesthetic quality of steel: powerful, gentle, and timeless.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nManuel Sch\u00f6ttle, the designer behind the initial project who then collaborated with Danza on the concept, speaks of \u201cauthenticity in the way we treated the steel,\u201d and then adds: \u201cIt was a natural thing to make the THREE concept extremely pure. And I hope it brings a smile to the face of those who look at it.\u201d THREE, precisely to reveal its true nature, was not painted but simply covered with a protective film that, explains Danza, presents it \u201cas when that material comes out of the steel mill in coils.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>