[santacruzadmin]

Is Hyundai looking to take on the compact pickup truck segment next?

Making a surprise at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the Korean automaker unveiled the Santa Cruz concept, a compact pickup that features a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine with 190 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. According to Hyundai, the concept is capable of achieving 30 MPG on the highway and will have a similar footprint to a compact crossover.

The company also said the design of the concept is to go after the crossover and sedan shoppers and as a result towing and payload were not priorities during the design process.

 

[Santana]

Even the space these folks have with SUV's isn't entirely needed making the SC just as practical but cooler too.

 

[Colin]

Will they put more focus on towing and payload in the production vehicle, or will they follow the same design process for the production model (combo of crossover and sedan features)?

 

[Santana]

Will they put more focus on towing and payload in the production vehicle, or will they follow the same design process for the production model (combo of crossover and sedan features)?

I don't have much faith in towing and payload being anything attractive to the typical truck crowd we're current familiar with.

 

[BahamaTodd]

Will they put more focus on towing and payload in the production vehicle, or will they follow the same design process for the production model (combo of crossover and sedan features)?

With such a short wheelbase you really don't want to tow much more than the Tucson's 1500 lbs capacity. At most I can see them bumping it up to 2000 lbs if they do go ahead with the diesel or another more powerful gas motor like the 2.0T.

As far as payload, I assume they will keep the suspension pretty similar to the Tucson which has a 1260 lbs payload capacity. Most midsize and fullsize trucks have about 1500 lbs payload. The higher trim Ram ecodiesel fullsize has less than 1000 lbs payload. So depending on if the cargo design adds or subtracts some weight, they are fine where they are.

One other issue is the offroad ability. I just learned about the Tucson's AWD lock feature which allows you to send torque equally to the front and rear axles. That should be more than enough for the SC.

 

[Santana]

Basically keeping it limited to PWC's and things of the like in weight is what should the the ultimate maximum with being 100% sure no harm is being done.