Presented at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, concept car heralds the introduction of an all-new, rear-wheel drive 2+2 sports coupe, which will go on sale in the US in the spring of 2009.
"The mission for Concept Genesis Coupe was to create a pure performance car with a design that would capture the imagination of hardcore automotive enthusiasts," said Joel Piaskowski, chief designer at the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, California.
"With its aggressive look from just about any angle, I think we have been able to do that."
Concept Genesis Coupe's looks were inspired in part by Le Mans 24 hour racers, the specialist cars built by 'drifting' tuners and by the cult Jada Toys Dub City™ die cast model vehicles.
"Bringing these influences together has created a coupe that will appeal to all car enthusiasts."
The concept's eye-catching 'Sonic Orange' paint is complemented and contrasted by the black carbon fibre hood, roof and ground effect spoilers. The car wears 20-inch wheels set deep into the wheel arches.
According to Hyundai, many of the concept's styling cues will make it to the production car.
The all-alloy V6 is expected to give a 0-60 time of less than six seconds and will feature a six-speed gearbox and limited-slip differential. Additional engine options are also being considered.
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(Source: Hyundai)
Unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show, the QarmaQ Crossover Coupe is Hyundai's Advanced Technology Demonstration Vehicle (ATDV) that showcases over 30 different technologies which will be selectively incorporated into Hyundai's new models to be rolled out from 2008-2014.
Among the technical highlights is "Elastic Front™", an innovative solution that can help reduce the risk of severe injuries in Crossover Utility Vehicles (CUV) pedestrian collisions.
QarmaQ was designed at Hyundai Motor Europe's Design and Technical Center in Russelsheim and engineered in cooperation with GE Plastics.
The name "QarmaQ" derives from traditional Inuit dwellings, constructed from earth, whalebone and animal skins.
Like them, QarmaQ challenges conventional ideas on construction methods and materials. Also in common with the original structures, it boasts unusual strength, resilience and protection.
As a joint project with GE Plastics, QarmaQ endowed designers with greater expressive freedom to create complex three-dimensional shapes that could not have been achieved with conventional production methods and materials such as metal and glass.
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"The powerful profile and stance of the design incorporates dynamic, sculptural qualities and elegant sportiness on one hand, with smooth refined surfaces on the other," said Thomas Bürkle, chief designer, Hyundai Motor Europe.
"Moreover, the various properties of the GE materials allowed more freedom in meeting or even exceeding safety requirements.
"The result is a uniquely balanced and harmonic design both inside and out," he added.
Departing from conventional car design that combines a lower body and a glass cabin on top, QarmaQ blazes a new trail with panoramic wrap-around glazing area using GE's Lexan™ polycarbonate resin.
This part sits between the two pronounced "muscles" above the front and rear wheels.
The C-shaped side window enables innovative helicopter-like downward visibility and is a key design feature demonstrating the new glazing technology.
Connected by unique glazed surfaces, the exterior design relates strongly to, and interacts effortlessly with the interior.
The unique division between the solid bodywork and transparent glazed areas creates a new perspective, whether viewed from inside or from the pedestrian standpoint.
The exterior contours and fluidity of line have been refined to give an immediate impression of movement frozen in motion.
This aesthetic is mirrored in the interior, so that the fusion and merging of the perceptual boundaries between inside and out delivers a feeling of integration and synchronization to the overall appearance.
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Although QarmaQ does not have a high waistline or small window area (conventional methods to convey a feeling of protection), the exterior design still communicates a commanding presence and a feeling of protection to the occupants.
"The QarmaQ's exterior design communicates a commanding presence and a feeling of protection to the occupants," said Robert Butterfield, global market director, GE Plastics.
"The twin domes on the sunroof, facilitated by the new glazing technology, increases the inner space for the rear passengers and creates a unique design feature."
The wrap-around windscreen, in combination with the elongated bonnet delivers dramatic, almost classic, proportions and gives the car a unique sporty feeling. Finally, the contrast of the strong dark coloured areas to the lighter tonal areas emphasizes QarmaQ's off-road DNA.
QarmaQ is designed to carry four people in above average comfort. The extensive use of new materials and techniques has resulted in a more fluid and unified interior, by allowing seamless integration of otherwise intrusive elements.
At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show Hyundai will introduce the i-flow Concept, a show car that gives some hints at the brand's future D-segment sedan.
Styled at the company's European design headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany, i-flow features the company's evocative new form language, 'fluidic sculpture'.
The name i-flow reflects the aerodynamic shape and the flowing lines of the concept car's styling, and retains the 'i' prefix of Hyundai's established nomenclature.
The i-flow incorporates numerous new technologies from chemical company BASF, ranging from innovative lightweight materials to solar cells, to assist in reducing weight and improving energy efficiency.
(Source: Hyundai)
Kia Motors has unveiled its 'Ray' Plug-in Hybrid concept at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, show-casing its innovative fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies.
Kia Motors has presented the Ray Concept, a futuristic hybrid sedan with an aerodynamic (cd of 0.25) aircraft-inspired design.
The powertrain is equipped with a 153-hp Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) 1.4-litre engine coupled to a permanently-engaged fixed ratio Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), used in combination with a 78 kW electric motor.
Among the features are the use of lightweight and recycled materials, the hexagonal solar cells embedded in the glass roof panel and the range of up to 1,200 km (746 miles).
Additional features include four individual seats, touch-screen controls, drive-by-wire steering and an energy-efficient audio system.
A lowered mono-volume shape and a strong, curvaceous silhouette give the Kia 'Ray' concept better aerodynamic properties than taller profile hybrid vehicles.
The exterior combines clean, flush surfaces minimizing any unneeded edges, a flowing profile and a pronounced rear shoulder ending in a slightly higher deck for reduced drag.
"It is important to imagine early in the design process what people will want in the future from a green perspective because people want to reduce their carbon footprint without driving carbon copies," said Peter Schreyer, Chief Design Officer for the Kia Motors Corporation.
"Being green doesn't have to be an obvious statement anymore and the Kia 'Ray' exemplifies a viable blend of modern, eco-minded features for today's environmentally conscious consumers," he added.
Strong, lightweight materials are used to support the EcoDynamics philosophy starting with a tabbed LED Kia badge covered with a single piece of glass that extends over the hood and another piece of glass that extends from the cowl of the windshield to the rear header to offer occupants a spacious, airy feeling.
A tapering greenhouse cabin and a longer 'tail' improve aerodynamics while reduction of drag is attained through a one-piece, smooth-as-glass, integrated underbody panel, narrow tire width and flush wheel design.
Front driving lamps slide back to create openings for better air intake when the gasoline engine is being used and a sliding U-shaped deck-lid extends from the rear of the vehicle at higher speeds for improved coefficient of drag.
Instead of side-view mirrors and door handles, motion-detector cameras are mounted flush with the body for safe lane changing procedures and opening of doors. The result is an airframe on wheels.
The front door opening features a forward cutout design for the feet allowing ease of entry. The purposeful rear-hinged coach doors add a stylish touch and their height and shape improves entry and exit.
The 'Ray' employs new 'cool car' technology, including nano-laminate films and cool-glazing materials to dramatically reduce solar heat and demonstrate how keeping the
interior cool will reduce air conditioning loads and greenhouse emissions. When the
vehicle is parked in the sun, the solar cells provide a trickle charge that helps operate a cooling fan to reduce interior temperatures.
The 'Ray' interior is comprised of eco-friendly recycled materials in cool white tones to create a sense of purity while also reflecting the heat of the sun, keeping the temperature down and reducing the use of air conditioner energy.
Front and rear seats made of lightweight composites, mounted on the side sills, create a floating effect in the cabin and utilize elastomeric materials to support body weight.
Fresh and sustainable trim materials combine with a lightweight touch screen instrument layout featuring a touch screen push-button start and gear shift toggle.
The centre console features the all-new Kia UVO powered by Microsoft® advanced infotainment system providing voice- and touch-activated controls for simple management of music files and hands-free mobile phone operation.
Adding to the list of green technology features 'Ray' also employs the all-new GreenEdge™ system by Infinity® Audio. The loudspeakers reduce power consumption and dissipation through lower self heating temperatures coupled with increased acoustic performance providing a better synergy between amplifier, speaker and vehicle.
The amplifier used also reduces the idle power consumption by 50% of current Infinity speakers and employs a lower dissipation design for significant savings in overall weight.
To reduce overall weight through materials and design the hexagon/honeycomb shape can be found throughout the cabin, used as a repeated design element while tying the interior theme together. Used also in the door inserts and seats, this lightweight and breathable mesh serves to reduce overall kerb weight as well as being a unique design element.
Other materials found in the cabin are soft to the touch with a matt finish, including white leather, offering a more luxurious, but inviting and tranquil atmosphere.
