LOS ANGELES — Hyundai Motor has ambitions to increase the rugged, off-road capabilities of its vehicles in the U.S., based on a new "Crater" concept SUV revealed Thursday.

The rugged compact vehicle mixes Hyundai design characteristics with off-road capabilities reminiscent of American SUVs such as the Jeep Wrangler , Ford Bronco and GMC Hummer.

"Crater began with a question: 'What does freedom look like?' This vehicle stands as our answer," SangYup Lee, head of Hyundai global design, said in a release. "It is a vision shaped by our unending drive to explore — to inspire our customers to explore deeper and embrace the impact of adventure."

Hyundai said the concept vehicle, which made its global debut Thursday at the LA Auto Show, is meant to showcase the automaker'

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