Hyundai's R&D division deserves credit for innovation

"BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast." (boxerfanatic)
04/02/2015 at 18:02 • Filed to: None

Their concepts have been innovative, and mostly quite handsome, lately. Someone is actually THINKING about what vehicles might not currently be offered, and what they might be like.

Hyundai introduced the HND-12 Enduro concept today in Korea, (New York is not the only auto show going on right now) and shows a compact CUV Coupe reportedly inspired by off-road endurance motorcycle racing.

The car reportedly has a 2.0T GDI engine with commensurate horsepower, and a dual-clutch gearbox, no mention of whether it is FWD or AWD... but I would hope AWD would be involved.

It is a 3-door hatchback with a drawer under the load floor, and a driver-oriented interior with fold-flat passenger seats.

Enduro might not be the most gorgeous vehicle ever, but it isn't horrible (have you seen the new Lexus and Infiniti/Nissan exercises in over-styling lately?), and the premise is quite interesting for a sporty, versatile all-road coupe/hatchback runabout.

This after arguably knocking the concept of a *small* truck out of the park, with the HCD-15 Santa Cruz concept crossover compact truck.

And while it might not look good, (frankly horrible, unfortunately... here's hoping for a better 2nd gen) the performance would be quite interesting... a mid-engined RM-15 Veloster race car.

The veloster's looks may be less than attractive, but the door layout is innovative, and shared with the Pininfarina Cambiano concept, with a coupe door for the driver, two tandem passenger doors, and a rear hatch. The looks and FWD-only drivetrain are the drawbacks as far as I see it. With an AWD performance drivetrain, and maybe with much-revised styling, the next one will be as cool looking as the HND-9 Coupe concept.

At least Hyundai is thinking about alternate segments than the same-old-same-old usual suspects, and actually designing some cleanly handsome and innovative new concept cars.

DISCUSSION (7)

Jayhawk Jake > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
04/02/2015 at 20:04

It's too bad they never build them.

Kia and Hyundai have shown so many awesome concepts but they haven't made anything new in so many years

m2m, apex detective > Jayhawk Jake
04/03/2015 at 06:30

Sat in an i20 yesterday. It's a nice car for what it is.

They can't even be bothered to sellt he Genesis sedan here. :?

Jayhawk Jake > m2m, apex detective
04/03/2015 at 07:04

I've never had a problem with their current products, they are all nice enough cars even if they don't particularly appeal to me. I prefer Kia, and I actually had a Kia for 2 years.

That being said if Kia made the Track'ster I'd buy one. Same goes for the GT4 Stinger. Or the Cub. Or the Niro. But for the 4 years or so I've followed Kia's concepts not a single one has made it into a product beyond some styling cues, which is a damn shame.

m2m, apex detective > Jayhawk Jake
04/03/2015 at 08:47

That pretty much sums it up, sad as it is ... their only appealing driver's car might just be the pro_cee'd GT. I took a look at the Hyundai equivalent in the shape of a 5dr i30 Turbo ... not so great a proposition.

Why must people in charge of Asian carmakers make so damn conservative choices? :-/

Jayhawk Jake > m2m, apex detective
04/03/2015 at 09:22

I actually would have bought a pro_ceed GT if it was available here, no fooling.

I don't understand why they won't make the products. The concepts have all been received with praise, there's clearly interest.

m2m, apex detective > Jayhawk Jake
04/03/2015 at 10:42

From what I've heard, it's really hard to push something from the concept stage into production when it comes to Japanese companies; might be the same problem with the Korean manufacturers .... you'd need to make a business case again and again.

Just look at how that worked out for Toyota/Lexus and the LFA. Great car that arrived almost a decade too late. They should cheer up and make all the awesome things they can dream up. It's not like they're less likely to sell 'em if they are attractive and interesting for once.

Jayhawk Jake > m2m, apex detective
04/03/2015 at 10:51

Look at the NSX and GT86: the GT86 was concepted for years before release, and the NSX is the same way.