2023 Hyundai Palisade-Based Santa Clara Unibody Truck Joins Virtual Mid-Size Pickup Segment

Looking back no longer than last decade, we’ll notice that the American market’s mid-size truck segment wasn’t at its full capacity. Nowadays, U.S. customers not only seek such pickups, but also lookfor compact trucks, with the Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Ford Maverick fueling the revival of this segment. But what if the South Korean automaker would also join Ford in the mid-size truck arena? The answer could come from a 2023 Palisade SUV-based truck named Santa Clara, which is showcased here in virtual form.

For the record, Ford only returned to the mid-size segment in 2019. And, since, as stated, this part of the North American market is in expansion, Hyundai might wish to enter the game.

The company’s mid-size Palisade SUV, which serves as a base for the rendering portraying the envisioned pickup, is selling like hot cakes. It mixes a smooth ride with a well-trimmed cabin that even rivals certain luxury offerings, while its V6 engine offers proper pulling power.

A Hyundai mid-size truck would rival the Honda Ridgeline

So it’s not difficult to see why the digital artist known as Theottle chose this model as a starting point for his mid-size Hyundai truck dream. And the digital wizard even chose the said name for the vehicle, rendering this into the tailgate for the whole world to see.

Of course, some might point out that the South Korean automaker lacks serious pickup truck building experience. However, a Palisade-based effort would mean a unibody construction (like the Santa Cruz and the Maverick).

Thus, instead of targetting body on frame rivals that make up the bulk of the class, Ford Ranger included, this Hyundai would go after the only other unibody offering in the segment, the Honda Ridgeline.

To put it shortly, this would limit the ruggeddness of the vehicle, so owners would have to put a cap on their off-roading and towing activities. Then again, the unibody construction would give the vehicle better refinement on the road, offering a more refined and engaging driving experience.

Such assets would fall in line with the impressive styling of the Palisade starting point. By the way, the main reasons for the visual presence of the SUV is the fact that Hyundai’s design department is currently led by Luc Donckerwolke, who is among the most influential penning masters of our age.

For one, if the name sounds familiar, it’s probably thanks to the multiple Lamborghini and Bentley production and concept cars (here’s an example: the Diablo) the master has penned over the past two decades. And the video below allows you to see how the said independent artist built on the work of the famous designer.

COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

RELATED