Hyundai California Design concepts
[4] The marque, which had entered the United States market with the inexpensive Excel in 1986, used the HCD-1 concept to build positive publicity and showcase the California studio's abilities, helped by a potential price of US$14,000 (equivalent to $30,000 in 2023).
[2] The Hyundai HCD-2 (sometimes styled with Roman numerals as HCD-II and also known as the Epoch) debuted at the North American International Auto Show in January 1993.
Unlike the prior HCD-1 and HCD-2, the HCD-3 drives all four wheels; the "all-terrain sport coupe" allows the suspension to be raised by 3 in (76 mm) on demand to increase ground clearance during off-road use.
[11] The Hyundai HCD-4 (sometimes styled with Roman numerals as HCD-IV and also known as the Santa Fe)[12] debuted at the North American International Auto Show in January 1999.
[18] In a 2010 retrospective, journalist Reilly Brennan called the concept "an abject failure" and noted "each section of the car seems to have been designed on its own, with little regard to pulling it all together".
Exterior styling features on the HCD-6 include body sides shaped to direct air to the engine compartment, a single roll bar integrated into the center console, floating carbon-fiber bumpers, a 3-stage DuPont Mysteria paint system, see-through engine cover and a unique lighting system with driving lights that turn with the wheels.
[6] Overall configuration and size were similar to the contemporaneous first-generation Equus (LZ), a large 4-door executive saloon sold by Hyundai in the Korean domestic market.
Styling was designed to evoke aeronautical themes, both for the interior and exterior, which features "a bold grille that is the focal point of the front end, yet still retains a family resemblance to current Hyundai automobiles" and is painted in a "warm silver" color.
[26] Instead of a conventional key, the driver inserts an "ignition card", which causes a 7 in (180 mm) screen to rise out of the dashboard, providing HVAC, infotainment, and engine start controls.
[31] The exterior is finished in "Ballistic Yellow" from Nippon Paint; trim is brushed nickel, which is echoed inside with gray leather seating and aluminum accents.
[33] Joel Piaskowski, chief designer, said the Talus was intended "for a person who has grown accustomed to the needs and benefits of an SUV, but desires the emotional gratification of sports car styling and performance".
[35] The side profile of the Talus featured a dip or kink in the window line for the rear passenger, which was carried over to the production Genesis Coupe.
[36] The elevated profile and ground clearance make the vehicle capable of traversing rough roads, and the interior is sized to fit four adults plus their luggage.
[38] The front end design explored styling that could be used on a future pickup truck, and the prominent scoops were inspired by off-road rally racing.
[46] The windshield glass wraps around the side windows in a manner reminiscent of the visor of a motorcycle helmet;[47] forward visibility is aided by A-pillar trusses,[46] which the design team likened to the architecture of Santiago Calatrava.
[55] The Santa Cruz concept was powered by a 2.0L R turbodiesel with an output of 190 hp (140 kW) and 300 lb⋅ft (410 N⋅m) of torque, driving all four wheels using Hyundai's HTRAC system.
[57][58] Although the designers insisted it was not a pickup truck, it was aimed at the car-based utility vehicle market pioneered by the Chevrolet El Camino and continued by the Ford Explorer Sport Trac.
[60] In January 2016, Hyundai Motor America President/CEO Dave Zuchowski stated "we're waiting more for an announcement than we are for an approval [from the head office in Korea]", all but confirming the concept would eventually reach production.
[64] The Hyundai HCD-16 Vision G concept debuted at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August 2015; just ahead of the official reveal, the car was unveiled at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
[65] Early speculation based on testing suggested the Vision G could preview the next-generation Genesis Coupe, moving that car into a luxury touring market.
