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| Click to enlarge |  | | HCD10 Hyundai Hellion Concept. Photo: Rod Hatfield | | | Click to enlarge |  | | HCD10 Hyundai Hellion Concept. Photo: Rod Hatfield | | | advertisement | | | | Click to enlarge |  | | HCD10 Hyundai Hellion Concept. Photo: Rod Hatfield | |
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| Click to enlarge |  | | HCD10 Hyundai Hellion Concept. Photo: Rod Hatfield | |
South Korea-based Hyundai has established a solid track record of interesting concept vehicles from the Hyundai Design Center in California. The latest concept, the HCD10 Hyundai Hellion, will add to that reputation.
Joel Piaskowski, chief designer at the Hyundai Design Center describes the architecture of the Hellion as inspired by a hardshell backpack with visible ribs that give both structural and visual strength.
The design actually uses three ultra-lightweight structural ribs to create a safety cage that connects to a surfboard-shaped spine. This structure provides rigidity to the platform, as well as occupant protection, but also defines the shape of the vehicle. The sheet metal is stretched in such a way over the ribs to give the Hellion an organic yet rugged shape.
More Hyundai Hellion Photos
"The HCD10 Hyundai Hellion was designed to appeal to a diverse individualist customer," said Joel Piaskowski, chief designer at the Hyundai Design Center. "Mindset and attitude are becoming the modern way to define new market segments and we feel the Hellion concept will do that. Hellion brings a new attitude to the Hyundai family. It's the sibling who's a bit mischievous and always outspoken."
Message Board: If Hyundai built the Hellion, would you buy it? Voice your opinion.
The Hellion has a wide stance, emphasizing a bold front-end design with headlights angled toward the grille, and a large hood scoop in the clamshell hood with exposed latches. The steep rake of the windshield and tapered greenhouse create a sporty profile that integrates with the taillights. The pronounced wheel arches seem to blend into the structural ribs.
The front and rear bumpers are distinguished from the rest of the body shape by a darker, durable finish with aluminum skidplates below. At the rear, dual chrome exhaust tips emerge between the bumper and the skidplate.
The removable canvas soft-top has a subtle abstract camouflage pattern, but a customer could request a different pattern to customize the vehicle.
The exterior paint is Dakar Gold as a tribute to the famous Dakar off-road race. The 20-inch, two-piece aluminum wheels have a Teflon coating to resist dirt buildup.
"The HCD10 Hyundai Hellion has a consistent design theme unifying the interior and exterior resulting in a very cohesive concept car," said Martin Frost, senior designer at the Hyundai Design Center. "The exterior is reflected throughout the interior with stretched surfaces creating interesting negative forms contributing to the perception of space."
The structural ribs are visible inside as they protrude from the side panels;they also support an overhead console that includes integrated lighting and a LCD monitor for rear-seat entertainment.
The camouflage pattern from the soft-top has been scaled down and used for accent panels on the four racing-inspired bucket seats. The seats include integrated fully functional backpacks that can be released from the seat by pushing a button. The packs also contain a unique hydration system with a removable, refillable drink reservoir in each seat and a drink tube attached at the top of the seat.
Interior accents are glossy white and matte aluminum to contrast with the black Desert Night interior color. The Hellion appears from the outside to be rather compact, but the interior offers a good amount of useable space. Creative cargo and storage spaces are designed to carry a wide variety of gear.
A monitor on the instrument panel displays the status of car systems with audio and climate controls located below the panel. Navigation and other functions can be controlled through a mouse located in the console.
New technology includes electronic stability control, shift-by-wire transmission, wireless Internet, a navigation system and adaptive cruise control.
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