FOUNTAIN VALLEY, California — Hyundai has released a darkened image of a crossover concept dubbed Nuvis that features dramatic gullwing doors. The all-wheel-drive Nuvis will make its formal debut next week at the 2009 New York Auto Show.
"It's just a concept," said Hyundai Motor America spokesman Dan Bedore in a conversation with Inside Line on Wednesday. "We are not announcing a new product. It foretells future design direction."
He added: "It does have gullwing doors."
"What are other dramatic features?" Inside Line asked. Bedore responded: "The gullwing doors in a crossover are dramatic enough."
He did confirm that the Nuvis rides on an all-wheel-drive platform and that it is not based on the popular Hyundai Genesis sedan or coupe. "There will be more powertrain details [announced in New York City]," Bedore said.
In a statement, Hyundai Motor America described the Nuvis as "hint[ing] at a possible design direction for a future-generation crossover, blending attributes of a tall urban car and a premium utility vehicle." It said the Nuvis is the 11th concept car to come out of Hyundai's California Design Center in Irvine, California.
While Bedore offered no confirmation, it is natural to speculate that the Nuvis may be based on the Hyundai Santa Fe or the Hyundai Veracruz. The Santa Fe freshening is due to be unveiled at the end of 2009.
It also appears that Hyundai may be continuing to move upmarket and targeting such competitors as the 2010 Lexus RX 350. The RX 350 is powered by a 275-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. When Hyundai releases powertrain details about the Nuvis next week, the competition should come into clearer focus.
Inside Line says: This may be a broad hint at what your future Hyundai Santa Fe may look like. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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