[Rehaan]

Today, Hyundai showed their Hexa Space Concept to the world for the first time :

• It’s a MPV previously known by the code name HND-7
• Designed to be an 8-seater, though each seat is a separate bucket seat. No bench seating at all.
• Each seat is on a rail, which enables it to slide forward or backward
• Individual seats are almost hexagonal in shape, which enabled them to tessellate together when they are slid together
• The space concern when seating 3 people side-by-side has been tackled by placing the middle seat slightly behind the side seats of the same row
• All the seats can fold over, and can be grouped together to create a usable flat area. The drivers seat can fold too

Carbon-fiber + alloy wheels




Notice the beefy single hinge for the sliding rear doors




Clearly, Hyundai's "fluidic design" has been applied for this concept too




The tessellated / hexa-theme has been carried into the LEDs of the headlights too


Carbon fiber grille, on an MPV!


Sleek ORVMs work surprisingly well with the boxy body-style


The ability of the seats to fold and dock together




Flat surface formed, could be used for hauling luggage?




The black piano-finish backside on concept cars seems to be consistent across quite a few manufacturers!

[Rehaan]

Also unveiled was the Sonata (as seen before in International markets) :

• This is the sixth generation of the Hyundai Sonata
• Hyundai has confirmed that this will be coming to India, though the launch date and pricing have not been indicated
• Running a 2.4L GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine, with Dual-VTVT
• 198 PS @ 6300 rpm, and torque peaks at 250 Nm @ 4250 rpm.
• The drivetrain has a choice of a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission
• Follows Hyundai’s fluidic styling, even though it seems less noticeable on the larger Sonata, as compared to the Verna.
• Features include : Front and rear seat ventilation, Xenons, Paddle shifts, 10-way and 4-way electric memory seats for the driver and front passenger respectively.
• Safety & Convenience : 6-airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, true keyless entry, push-button start, a rear view camera and LED taillights.

[Rehaan]

The Hyundai Veloster was shown at the Delhi Auto Expo 4 years back as a concept car. It is now sold in international markets. The 3-door “utility coupe” runs a 1.6 GDI engine. Note that it only has a rear door on the left-hand-side. Its safer and probably cuts costs too!

[Rehaan]

The current gen Elantra (also known as the Avante) was on display too. No mention of it making its way to India (though our members have spotted it testing in India) . Its sold abroad with 1.8L Dual VTVT and 1.6L CRDI VGT engine, in both auto and manual guises.

[Rehaan]

Hyundai's baby Eons on display


A nicely modded i10


















Don2 was being projected onto the windshield of this SantaFe from the inside. I think they used this model in a chase scene in the movie?


Cross section of the Kappa2 engine


The 2.4L GDI mated to a 6-speed AT


Something for the cricket fans

[Shome]

awww...no facelift for the i20. Any info at all on it?

Sonata looks like it has a very good road presence. Much better then the previous generations.

Avante just looks like Vernas elder brother from the sides. Love the meaty steering of both the Sonata and the Avante/Elantra. Nice that it is now available in models other than Santa Fe.

Thanks for the pics and the coverage.

[S2!!!]

The nose of the Hexa Space Concept reminds me of the SLS AMG for some reason (pic 1 and 4). The Elantra and Sonata are just looking like size 'L' and 'XL' of the Fluidic Verna. Why are all manufacturers making all their products look alike and taking the family face thing soo seriously??? I guess the VW group started it and now Hyundai.

[dass]

I was expecting a new version of the I20 in the diesel avatar. Looks like they have taken that car for granted. A great machine nerver the less, but they could have worked on localizing some parts and rducing the price. With the compact SUV's lined up for a launch, this car is going to be the main target as it falls right under that price bracket, if not more. Only if hyundai was listening...

[suhaas307]

Can't Hyundai be a little more innovative with their designs? The side-profile of the Sonata seems to be a straight lift off Mercedes Benz's CLS sedan. The window-line, and that crease that runs along the side of the car IS from the CLS.

I quite like the Modded i10, although, the wheels look like they are from an Alfa Romeo.

[anekho]

Hmmm. Not really impressed with their new design philosophy. The models look way too similar; not something the Sonata buyer (who'll spend ~17L?) will be too pleased about. The Sonata looks like the Elantra which looks like the Verna.

The modified i10 looks quite good, though. Chunky alloys!

[Durango Dude]

I don't entirely agree with Suhaas and Anekho. I think the Sonata will be great in flesh and I'm really impressed by the looks and interiors of the Sonata and Elantra will be its smaller sibling and Verna will be yet smaller. The Sonata will be just a shade shorter than the Accord at 4820 mm. I think the GDI motor will blow away the competition with almost 200 bhp on tap, at least, in a straight line drag. I think the Sonata will be a sight to behold. I think the prices will be a shade short of the 20L mark and without a diesel option it will 'flop' big time. I hope they launch it with the diesel and GDI options simultaneously. Sante Fe would lend its diesel heart to the Sonata, I guess. So the fluidic i20 is still not there, yet.

[ghodlur]

Paritcularly liked the rear door opening of the Hexaspace, the hexagonal lamp cluster, nice thinking too on the foldable seats. The OVRM's look puny as compared to the size of the vehicle. Could not locate the gear shift inside, where is this located?

The alloys of the Veloster and the modded i10 looks too good and drool worthy. The Santa Fe was used in the chase scene in Don2 and used by Priyanka Chopra following SRK.

[andromeda]

Nice pics !!

The Hexa space concept looks impressive with all bucket seats on rails. The Hyundai logo at the rear reminds me of Chrysler's at the rear of the PT Cruiser. The bottom single hinge for sliding rear doors might just not be practical. Hopefully Hyundai will provide it either in the middle or add another one at the top in the production version.

Sonata has too many resemblances to other cars like Sunny (front grill, tail lights when viewed from the side, etc), Manza (headlights). Is it only me who thinks (from the outside) this is an elongated Fluidic Verna with the cut-paste jobs copied from other cars ?

[chevelle]

Originally Posted by anekho

Hmmm. Not really impressed with their new design philosophy. The models look way too similar; not something the Sonata buyer (who'll spend ~17L?) will be too pleased about. The Sonata looks like the Elantra which looks like the Verna.

The only problem i see is, Hyundai in India is following down to top strategy for launching cars since sonata will come after verna. Internationally, sonata came first than the elantra and verna. This delay is causing the fluidic design to appear similar on all cars.

But in real life, all three are quite different in looks and can easily be distinguished, so I don't think sonata buyers will mind. You see, sonata is less 'busier' than the other too in fluidic design. The quality is top notch.

If launched at ~17 lakhs, it will sell good for petrol. But, it needs diesel engine pronto, possibly at the time of launch to make more impact. Mostly that's the reason why it still haven't been launched here while its making waves everywhere else.

[superutp]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

Can't Hyundai be a little more innovative with their designs? The side-profile of the Sonata seems to be a straight lift off Mercedes Benz's CLS sedan. The window-line, and that crease that runs along the side of the car IS from the CLS.
.

Dont you remember the Sonata from a few years back, front of a Mercedes and the rear of a Jaguar, atleast now they are sticking to one manufacturer.

I feel the fluidic design is being taken a bit too far on some design features.