Hyundai Lets Stylists Go Wild on HCD-14 Genesis Concept

HyundaiHyundaiRepublic of Korea, 1967 > present79 models
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says that premium vehicles like the EquusHyundai Equus Gen.2Republic of Korea, 2009 > present6 versions
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and GenesisHyundai Genesis 4.6LRepublic of Korea, 2011 > present4 photos
sedan are one of its faster growing segments. It has gone from 6,167 sales in North America in 2008 to 37,945 sales in 2012. While that is nowhere near competitors like LexusLexusJapan, 1989 > present26 models
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, AcuraAcuraJapan, 1986 > present24 models
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or InfinitiInfinitiJapan, 1989 > present31 models
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, it shows growth, and Hyundai wants to take advantage of that. Therefore at the North American International Auto Show, it is showing the HCD-14 Genesis concept, which imagines what a next generation Genesis could look like. Hyundai clearly let its stylists go wild when it comes to the car.

The front of the car is quite flat with a broad, chrome grill with smaller, chrome air inlets to either side. The headlights are nearly as flat at the front of the car and are made up of five, gilled lenses. The rest of the car is much more aerodynamic with a long arc from the windshield to the trunk. The line from the hood through the door and to the trunk is a perfectly straight line, and the sides are also quite unadorned. The rear of the car echoes the front with gilled taillights and chrome tailpipes.

“Its sleek and lightweight silhouette does not punish the wind, but uses fluidic precision with dramatic surfacing that conveys natural restraint. Inside, a driver-centric cockpit prioritizes dramatic sculpture over infotainment button overload. Laminated and milled-wood detailing delivers a fresh, topographical map-like visual interest throughout the cabin-length center console," said Chief Designer Christopher Chapman.

The interior features two rear-hinged suicide doors. The HCD-14 seats four with individual seats. The center console rises between the seats to separate them. The gauges include a mix of analog gauges, digital screens and a projected head-up display.

The concept's power comes from Hyundai's 5.0-liter Tau V8 with an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Hyundai is not saying when we will see a next generation Genesis or even if this concept really shows what the next generation car will look like. The HCD-14 concept is Hyundai's demonstration that it has no plans to leave the premium car market.