Hyundai mystery: Could new 'Galloper' trademark finally be a step towards long-awaited Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series rival?

A mystery Hyundai trademark has surfaced in Australia, potentially hinting at the brand's long-rumoured Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol rival finally surfacing.

But first, a history lesson: The Hyundai Galloper was a proper 4WD SUV built for the brand's Korean home market. Based on the Mitsubishi Pajero, it ran across two generations and was built from 1991 to 2004. 

And now, the Galloper name is back, trademarked by Hyundai in Australia in February, with the lodgement advertised on March 28.

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Now it must be said that not all trademarks apply to new vehicles, or ever come to fruition. Cancelled models often have their trademark renewed to protect the nameplate, while car companies routinely protect international models in Australia, just in case.

CarsGuide understands Hyundai in Australia is in the dark as to what, if anything, the trademark - usually lodged by a brand's international HQ - refers.

Reports of Hyundai's interest in a proper off-road SUV date back to 2020, with the brand tipped to use the ladder-frame chassis that will underpin the Hyundai Group's dual-cab ute to venture into the rugged SUV space.

Take this, from Hyundai's Head of Global Product Management, Lorenz Glaab, who told us in 2020 that the brand was monitoring the off-road SUV space.

"I mean, from a brand perspective, obviously that is thinkable," he said. "Now whether it makes sense and what region and what concepts remain to be seen. But nothing can be excluded.

"We monitor, and there is some dynamism in that segment... we are very much aware of that. We monitor very closely, and if we believe there is an opportunity for us, we can move pretty fast."

It's a thought shared by sister brand Kia, where that company's head of product, Rolan Rivero, told media - again in 2020 - that there's room for a ladder-frame SUV in the local line-up.

“There’s definitely room above Sorento, or even beside the Sorento, in a ladder-frame form,” he said.

Will the Galloper be the horse that bolts towards that vision? Time will tell.