Hyundai Roadster HCD6
The new Hyundai Roadster is certainly going to cause a stir. A mid engined, 2
seater with wild styling at a Hyundai price tag has definately got to be a
winner, but how long will we have to wait to see it?
Below are a few articles about the Roadster...
Hyundai Offical Press Release
Chicago, February 7, 2001.
Hyundai, the car company with a reputation for making high-value cars
affordable, has aimed its sights at the two-seat roadster market. Making its
world debut at the Chicago Auto Show is the new, Hyundai HCD6 roadster, dubbed
the affordable exotic car.
This concept car provides a strong indication of where Hyundai is going in the
sporty car market, said David Weber, Vice President, Marketing at Hyundai Motor
America. The HCD6 is a car that is fun to drive, fun to look at and fun to own.
When you can just look at a car and have it put a smile on your face, it's a
winner.
The Hyundai HCD6 is aimed at those drivers who are young at heart and use their
vehicles as an expression of freedom. We feel the HCD6 will appeal to young
people and to baby boomers who enjoy driving with the wind in their hair, Weber
added.
HCD6 Styling The Hyundai HCD6 Roadster was styled by the talented team at the
HATCI California Design studio in Fountain Valley, California, located near the
famed shores of Newport Beach. The two-seat open top roadster has many unique
design features including detached, floating front and rear carbon fiber
bumpers, a clear, see-through engine cover and high-mount exhaust.
The most striking feature is a deeply sculpted side air intake system, said HCD
Senior Designer Dragan Vukadinovic who led the exterior design team on the
HCD6. The entire side of the car serves as ducting to the engine. This design
also improves aerodynamics by taking normally turbulent wheel well air,
smoothing it out and using it for engine cooling.
A striking design deserves a striking paint job and the HCD6 is finished with a
unique teal and dark purple color using an experimental pigment supplied by
DuPont. The three-stage Mysteria paint system allows the HCD6 to change color
from dark purple to teal, based on the angle of viewing.
The front end features distinctive prismatic headlights. Eight lighting
elements are fed from an efficient centralized light engine and delivered via
fiber optics to the lights. The outboard projector beam lights turn with the
front wheels providing the driver with a clear view ahead for spirited night
driving.
The rear deck of the Hyundai HCD6 slopes away from the seats and displays the
2.7-liter V6 engine via a see-through engine cover. Dual fuel inlets reflect
the performance spirit of the HCD6. The high-mount exhaust sits above the
floating rear bumper and it is surrounded by a ceramic heat shield.
Hyundai's new concept roadster sits on high-performance 245/45-18 run-flat
tires mounted on custom-machined billet alloy wheels. The unique design of the
wheels was inspired by the shape of a propeller.
The engine is a modified, high-performance version of the sophisticated
2.7-liter DOHC Hyundai V6 engine used in the Santa Fe sport utility. The
high-performance engine is matched to a smooth-shifting 6-speed manual
transmission.
HCD6 Interior
The cockpit of the Hyundai HCD6 roadster is a simple, functional place for
enjoying the driving experience. A unique single roll bar rises from the center
console. This design provides protection and, by being in line with the axis of
the car, improves aerodynamics as well, said Andrew Kort, Senior Designer at
the Hyundai California Design Studio and the person responsible for the design
of the interior.
The open, structural shapes were inspired by windsurfing and kite flying. For
example, the panel section has a unique concave shape representing a sail
filling with air, he added.
The simple, minimal console acts as a bridge across the open air. There are
only two knobs visible on the instrument panel, the control knob for the stereo
system and the control knob for the HVAC. The stereo control also functions as
the lid for the CD/MP3 player.
The simple and straightforward design carries through to the dashboard
instruments. A large, round analog tachometer is complemented by a speedometer.
Two smaller gauges (fuel and oil pressure) float in the concave dial section.
The remaining instruments provide information only when necessary via a warning
light system. The dials on the gauges feature a unique pointer and dual
magnifying feature inspired by classic watch face design. The round dial fits
into a tall, narrow shroud that resembles a windsurfing sail.
The door trim carries on the minimal, simple theme with the armrest, speaker
grille and courtesy lamp all enclosed in a single, lightweight enclosure. The
see-through Lexalite enclosure has a triangular theme that is repeated
throughout the interior and includes the knobs and the seat itself.
The enclosure is stepped off the door panel, echoing the sensation of being
filled with air. The interior features unique materials including Lexalite
acrylic panels on the doors, center console and instrument cluster. A
lightweight, stretch fabric is used on the doors and seats. The entire interior
is tied together with smooth leather and metal accents.
Following its world debut at the 2001 Chicago Auto Show, the HCD6 will be
displayed at key auto shows around the world. There are currently no plans to
build a production version of the HCD6, however certain design and style
elements from the HCD6 may be included in future Hyundai production cars.
Hyundai Motor America, based in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of
Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed in the United
States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 500
dealerships nationwide.
Specifications
| Configuration | Mid-engine/rear-wheel drive |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.7-liter DOHC V6 |
| Horsepower | 215 hp |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Suspension | 4-wheel independent |
| Wheels | 18-inch custom billet alloy |
| Tires | High-performance 245/45-18 run-flat tires |
| Wheelbase | 96.5" / 2450mm |
| Length | 159" / 4039mm |
| Width | 68.9"/ 1750mm |
| Height | 45.2" / 1150mm |
Excerpt from CanadianDriver.com
Chicago Auto Show
Hyundai to introduce mid-engine roadster
Hyundai HCD6 Roadster Concept
Hyundai's newest concept vehicle, the HCD6 mid-engine roadster, is scheduled to
debut at the Chicago Auto Show on February 7th. Dubbed an affordable exotic,
the HCD6 was styled at the Hyundai California Design Studio. It features a 2.7
litre V6 engine, six-speed manual transmission, see-through engine cover and
single roll bar integrated into the centre console.
More news....
News of the Neos concept car can be found on Hyundais own web site,
click here to see it