What is it?
Hyundai HCD6 Roadster Concept
What's special about it?
Early in its American life, this immigrant company built boxy, plain cars that were easy on the wallet, but were fraught with considerable reliability issues. Since then, Hyundai has cleared the considerable hurdle of the notion that just because a buyer doesn't possess the wherewithal to purchase an expensive car doesn't mean that she has to settle for sub-par quality, and the company offers America's best warranty to earn back your trust. Now Hyundai sets its sights higher; rather than making cars that merely appeal to your sensible side, it wants to attract your emotions and sense of fun.
With the burgeoning roadster revival in mind, the HCD6 (Hyundai California Design, sixth in a series) is Hyundai's first attempt at a mid-engine two-seater design. Powered by the Hyundai Santa Fe's 2.7-liter V6, which has been massaged to extract 215 horses (the side air intake scoops gather airflow from the rear tire motion to feed and cool the engine) and a six-speed manual tranny, the roadster concept aspires to be a contender on the Honda S2000 playing field. The package connects to the road via four-wheel independent suspension and 18-inch wheels with run-flats.
The designers sought to evoke visions of kites, wind sails and outdoor cafes when creating the open look of the interior. Deliciously minimalist, the instrument cluster is composed of merely two knobs controlling the stereo and HVAC.
And it is a striking car, one that evokes the oddly cute Toyota MR2 rather than the progenitor of the class, the elegant Mazda Miata. With floating, detachable bumpers that somewhat overwhelm the front and rear, and the dramatic side air intake, this concept model is definitely a head-turner.
Why should you care?
Hyundai officials state that there are no plans for production for now, but have not wholly ruled out the possibility of building the appealing roadster. While some of the ideas are somewhat schlocky, such as the transparent engine cover and a magnifying lens for the gauge cluster, we think that the mere intimation of building a fun performance car will do wonders for the image of this rather lackluster brand. — Liz Kim
Hyundai HCD6 Roadster Concept
What's special about it?
Early in its American life, this immigrant company built boxy, plain cars that were easy on the wallet, but were fraught with considerable reliability issues. Since then, Hyundai has cleared the considerable hurdle of the notion that just because a buyer doesn't possess the wherewithal to purchase an expensive car doesn't mean that she has to settle for sub-par quality, and the company offers America's best warranty to earn back your trust. Now Hyundai sets its sights higher; rather than making cars that merely appeal to your sensible side, it wants to attract your emotions and sense of fun.
With the burgeoning roadster revival in mind, the HCD6 (Hyundai California Design, sixth in a series) is Hyundai's first attempt at a mid-engine two-seater design. Powered by the Hyundai Santa Fe's 2.7-liter V6, which has been massaged to extract 215 horses (the side air intake scoops gather airflow from the rear tire motion to feed and cool the engine) and a six-speed manual tranny, the roadster concept aspires to be a contender on the Honda S2000 playing field. The package connects to the road via four-wheel independent suspension and 18-inch wheels with run-flats.
The designers sought to evoke visions of kites, wind sails and outdoor cafes when creating the open look of the interior. Deliciously minimalist, the instrument cluster is composed of merely two knobs controlling the stereo and HVAC.
And it is a striking car, one that evokes the oddly cute Toyota MR2 rather than the progenitor of the class, the elegant Mazda Miata. With floating, detachable bumpers that somewhat overwhelm the front and rear, and the dramatic side air intake, this concept model is definitely a head-turner.
Why should you care?
Hyundai officials state that there are no plans for production for now, but have not wholly ruled out the possibility of building the appealing roadster. While some of the ideas are somewhat schlocky, such as the transparent engine cover and a magnifying lens for the gauge cluster, we think that the mere intimation of building a fun performance car will do wonders for the image of this rather lackluster brand. — Liz Kim
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