Disney is celebrating its centenary in 2023 and has chosen Hyundai as its exclusive automotive partner in North America to join the celebration.
Those who watched the latest Oscars saw a TV commercial featuring the Hyundai Tucson and IONIQ 5 along with several popular characters from the entertainment giant. This week the magic continues at the New York Auto Show in the form of a concept called the IONIQ 5 Disney100 Platinum.
You should know that this is the first time Disney has opened the doors of its Imagineering design studio to a car manufacturer, allowing it to use its characters as part of an artistic collaboration. The result also differs significantly from the Minnie Van Odyssey developed by Honda in 2017.
Photo: Julien Amado
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 Disney100 Platinum is first distinguished by its exclusive “Gravity Gold” body with a matte finish, on which “Disney100 Platinum Edition” badges appear.
Then there are unique alloy wheels with a pattern inspired by Mickey Mouse ears, as well as screens with sparkling animations on the headlight and taillight strips.
Photo: Julien Amado
Inside the vehicle, “Disney100” logos can be found on the floor mats, front headrests and center console. The silhouette of Mickey’s face is reproduced in series on the doors. Upon launch, the central screen comes alive with the same Disney100 logo, classic Disney music and Mickey the Magician from Fantasia.
The ambient lighting is rounded off by a synchronized play of light in a new dimension, while the roof glass is reminiscent of the stardust that makes Peter Pan fly.
Photo: Julien Amado
Hyundai plans to produce a very limited quantity of the IONIQ 5 Disney100 Platinum (with a few different specs, of course), but only for the US market. Hyundai Canada Communications Manager Jennifer McCarthy confirmed to us that Canada will not be eligible.
If you want our opinion, we much more prefer the magic of the future IONIQ 5 N, a high-performance version with around 600 hp that comes to us as a 2024 model. Stay in touch for more details!