This is a more conservative version of the first production truck by the automaker.
In February, Hyundai’s first production truck was revealed to us through a series of spy photos that showed the prototype being tested in Northern Europe. Although it was still a camouflaged prototype, it gave us an idea of how it would look and how large it would be. These photos inspired Enoch Gonzales, a designer, to create a virtual model for the South Korean pickup.
The Tarlac, named after the Central Luzon province of the Philippines is the name for the workhorse. It has a more traditional body than the spy photos suggest. The front shows an evolution in Hyundai’s design language and a fascia that is inspired by Palisade and Santa Fe. This virtual truck appears to ride on a traditional ladder frame while the Santa Cruz production version is believed to be on a unibody structure.
This explains Tarlac’s rugged exterior, which is particularly noticeable from the side. Although the side profile is reminiscent of the Mitsubishi L200/Triton, it’s not uncommon for one-ton trucks to have a similar shape. The rear end has tall taillights that have a distinct LED light signature.
The designer explained that his design was intended to compete against the Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton and Ford Ranger. The design follows Hyundai’s Design philosophy. It is reminiscent of SUVs Santa Fe and Palisade.
Hyundai will make the final decision. What would you choose – a stylish, lifestyle pickup truck or a conventional ladder frame pickup? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.