Hyundai HCD6 Roadster Concept Car Makes World Debut at Chicago Auto Show

    CHICAGO, Feb. 7 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.

    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.

    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.


                     Hyundai HCD6 Roadster Specifications

    DESCRIPTION:

    Two seat mid-engine roadster.
    Target audience: young people & baby boomers

    Wheelbase:           96.5-inches (2450mm)

    Overall length:      159-inches (4039mm)

    Overall width:       68.9-inches (1750mm)

    Overall height:      45.2-inches (1150mm); 52.0-inches with top (1320mm)

    Wheels:              18-inch custom-machined aluminum alloy

    Tires:               245/45-18 run-flat


    POWERTRAIN:

    Modified 2.7-liter DOHC V6

    6-speed manual transmission

    Special features: center roll bar integrated into center console,
see-through engine cover, front and side air bags, body side shaped to funnel
air into engine compartment, high-mount rear exhaust, floating carbon fiber
bumpers, front and rear, 3-stage DuPont Mysteria paint system, unique lighting
system using a centralized light engine to deliver the light via fiber optics.
The front driving lights turn with the steering wheel to provide the driver
optimum night vision.