Hyundai Neos Concept

What is it?
Hyundai Neos Concept

What's special about it?
Who would have believed that the creators of the Hyundai Excel (a veritable automotive punch line) would have been around today to unveil a vehicle as daring as the Neos concept?

Reminiscent of Plymouth's Prowler, the Neos is an eye-catching hot rod. The open-wheeled roadster created quite a stir at the Paris Auto Show where it was unveiled. An acronym for New Evolution Open Sports Car, the Neos is powered by a mid-mounted, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces a ripping 250 horsepower @ 8,200 rpm (estimated).

The central objective of the Neos design engineers was to make the exotic roadster as light as possible to get maximum power from the engine. This was accomplished by using an aluminum and thermoplastic composite for the body construction and adding carbon fiber for rigidity. Gull wing doors, the oversized open wheels and tires and its huge air scoops lend racing attitude to the Neos' startling design. And, taking the push-button ignition used in the Honda S2000 one step further, the Neos is started using a data-encoded card key.

Why should you care?
If the Plymouth Prowler and the Dodge Viper were largely responsible for the resurrection of those once-troubled brands, perhaps the Neos will help erase memories of the woeful Excel. And, despite the fact that concept cars rarely ever make it into production, it's fun to see that automakers, even marginal ones, are willing to try radical new approaches to automobile design. The research and development efforts spent on the Neos won't be wasted either as other Hyundai models will benefit from its innovative design. Therefore, you won't necessarily have to shell out mega bucks to enjoy a spirited ride.
-- Neil Dunlop