Hyundai Reveals Future Design Approaches

While some people wonder how far that Hyundai can take its “Fluidic Sculpture” design language, clues came out last week at the Seoul Motor Show, when Hyundai Motor Co. revealed a brand-new vehicle:

Oops.

Well, actually, it did reveal this, the heavy-duty Xcient. This vehicle, which will go on sale in several markets later this year, was no small undertaking: Hyundai reports that it was under development for three years and the company invested 200 billion won (~$180-million) on the program.

This is a development based on the company’s Trago, which was introduced in 2006.

The Xcient is available with two engines, the 10L H, which has a maximum output of 420 ps (414 hp) and 200 kg●m of torque (1,447 lb-ft), and the Powertech, which has a maximum output of 520 ps (513 hp) and maximum torque of 255 kg●m (1,844 lb-ft).

(Automotive News recently reported that Hyundai is considering a light-duty pickup for the U.S. market at some point in the future, so maybe there is something more to the Xcient design. . . .)

OK. They actually did show where the company’s passenger car design language is going in the form to the HND-9 luxury sports coupe concept, which was developed at the Hyundai R&D Center in Namyang, Korea.

Suk-Geun Oh, head of the Hyundai Design Center, described it as “a glimpse of Hyundai’s future luxury sports coupe models.” He went on to say, “Representing an evolution of Hyundai’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design philosophy, the rear-wheel drive sports coupe concept balances high performance with a sophisticated image.”

The car is low—just 52.7 in. high—and long—184.8 in. It has a 112.6-in. wheelbase and is 74.4 in. wide.

Under the hood there is a 3.3-liter turbocharged GDi engine; it is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The vehicle features doors that pivot up and out; they’re described as “butterfly doors.”

Inside, they’re using what is called the “spiral sculpture concept,” using spiral-shaped metal trim lines throughout.