Hyundai's latest car is powered by gravity
2021 Hyundai Soapbox is a car you build your own
by Anton AndresThere's a lot of buzz going on at Hyundai right now. This year saw the launch of the updated Santa Fe, Kona, the all-new Elantra and soon, the next-generation Tucson. Now, Hyundai has launched another car, and it's a truly unique model.
This new car is powered by clean energy. No, it's not a hybrid, and it's not electric either. Powering Hyundai's latest car is none other than gravity.
Yes, you read that right. Hyundai's gravity-powered car is a soapbox. They even have a name for it, too, as they have imaginatively called it, well, the Soapbox. Hyundai says they made the Soapbox for one reason: as a way for families to bond together while school is still out. How? That's because the Hyundai Soapbox is a car (if you can call it that) that you have to build from the ground-up.
The body and frame are made out of wood, and the only metal parts present are connecting rods, screws, rims, and brackets. As for the wheels, it comes from a wheelbarrow. Now that's one way to recycle.
Hyundai was kind enough to provide specs for the Soapbox, so here it is. It measures 1,760 mm long and 1,000 mm wide. Since it has no engine, your acceleration and top speed will depend on the steepness of the road you're on at the time. Unfortunately, you won't be able to drive up hills with the Soapbox, so you'll have to push it when there are steep inclines. Brakes? We'll get back to you on that.
That aside, it's nice to see Hyundai coming up with something like this. It's a nice break from everything that's been going in the world right now, too. Besides, we need a little humor and family bonding while we're in lockdown.