Hyundai unveiled its new HCD-14 concept at the North American international auto show (better known as the Detroit auto show or NAIAS) in Detroit this week. It will be there the duration of the show which continues until January 27th.
The groundbreaking part of the HCD-14 Genesis concept is the human-machine interface. The interior integrates eye tracking and gesture control with a Heads-up display so that by just looking at the radio or climate control or bluetooth will activate it. A wave, flick of the finger or twist of the hand will adjust the fan or change the radio.
President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America John Krafcik made it clear that this is
“Not the next generation Genesis sedan. We are going to be showing you the production version of that car next year right here. This isn’t that car. It’s really the spiritual guide for a future line of premium products.”
He continues that this concept will be the inspiration for the rest of their premium cars.
Krakcik emphasized the premium product line several times meaning the Genesis and the Equus will have a greater divergence from the rest of their line-up. Dealerships are going to be doing free pick-up and maintenace on them and compete with the luxury dealerships.
Hyundai chief designer Chris Chapman who works out of Hyundai Motor America in Irvine say the idea for the concept was "beautifully dangerous" and everything the design team did was to that end.
The HCD-14 is rear wheel drive so designers made a long hood and long wheelbase. The design team also wanted simple panels to let the sheet metal speak for itself so looking at the photos you will see there are no air intakes or trim on the sides and the body lines all go horizontal with not much variation. Unusually there are no bumpers either, the front and rear of the car blend into the fenders in front and quarter panels in back.
The interior has a lot of laminated wood which is already present in the current Genesis. It also has a Lexicon sound system.
Under the hood of the concept is a 5 Liter Direct injected Tau V8 engine without R-spec.
This all echoes Chapman's words to not take any design cues from any other manufacturer and to follow Hyundai's motto of "define, defy, and delight" but as a production standpoint the HCD-14 is impractical.
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