Preview of potential future Ioniq 5 and 6 design studies raises plenty of questions.

ARE these carefully crafted teaser images direct previews of replacements for the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 - or are they just styling exercises to get us used to a new variation in Hyundai design?

We'll find out more later this week.

South Korea’s largest car brand has made clear it is looking ahead to its next generation of Ioniq electric cars. It has also dropped hints previously that it intends to create an entirely new styling language for them.

Two new concepts called Earth and Venus set to reveal tomorrow, likely in the evening, are thought to be the first expressions of what the eventual cars will look like. So far, we’ve only got those close-up images to work with.

The present platform-sharing Ioniq 5, 6 and the 9 large SUV that presently seems in limbo for NZ introduction - the closest equivalent is the Kia EV9, which has been here almost two years - are all quite dramatic cars in their own right.

But they're very different to each other. As the images below remind, the 5 went for a retro 1970s hatchback-like skin; the 6 is a low and sleek streamliner, almost art deco in its style. The Ioniq 9 is just like the EV9; large and bluff-faced. The Ioniq 3 hatchback incoming to some western markets, but again not yet being discussed by Hyundai NZ, is different again - a taut-looking and compact car with a distinctive rear spoiler.

Hyundai has recently said that in the future, its models will have a stronger family look and be more obviously visually related to one another.

Overseas’ commentators believe the Earth and Venus concepts will kick that process off. But these images, and the short animated teaser video also here that shows off a glowing yellow crystal, are all there is to work with.

The front view is for the Earth concept and suggest it has a short and stubby nose, and has extended black plastic wheelarches, along with ultra-slim LED headlights that form a distinctive Y shape. Could it be an MPV?

The rear view is of Venus. A flick-up rear spoiler and incredibly slim rear lights are elements; the bodywork looks quite sleek. Check out the razor-sharp edge of the rear bodywork.

Through its social media channels, Hyundai has described the new concepts as “a cosmic statement, engineered for humans.”