Hyundai HCD10 Helliom Concept

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Los Angeles Auto Show 2006, CA

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Hyundai HCD10 Hellion Concept
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The Hyundai Design and Technical Center and Hyundai Motor America presented the world debut of the HCD10 Hyundai Hellion concept during a press conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show today. Hellion is a compact three-door sport crossover designed with attitude and independence creating its unmistakable character.

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“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.”

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ARCHITECTURE

Hellion’s architecture was inspired by a tough, hardshell backpack that uses ribs to provide structural and visual strength. To support this, Hyundai used three ultra-lightweight structural ribs to create Hellion’s safety cage.
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These ribs connect to a suspended surfboard-shaped spine. Hellion’s ribcage not only provides protection for its occupants, but also adds visual rigidity and shape. By stretching the sheet metal skin away from the common body surface, the ribs give Hellion a new kind of organic ruggedness.

EXTERIOR DESIGN

“The proportions of the HCD10 Hyundai Hellion make it look and feel tough,” said Marc Mainville, senior designer at the Hyundai Design Center. “Short overhangs allow for excellent attack angles for off-roading and the skid plates, muscular wheel flares and tow hooks convey Hellion’s strength.”

The Hyundai Hellion’s front design explores how new organic structural forms could look on future Hyundai trucks. Hellion’s stance is wide and its face is assertive, with piercing headlights angled towards its dominant grille.

A prominent hood scoop enhances Hellion’s rally car demeanor while the clamshell hood utilizes exposed latches for easy access to the engine bay. The windshield’s fast rake provides a very sporty character to an otherwise stout profile. Front and rear bumpers are distinguished from the organic body shape with a darker, durable wrinkle-finish paint supported by functional aluminum skid plates that wrap underneath the vehicle.

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The rear of the Hellion continues the bold design theme. Hellion’s taillights emphasize the tapering of the greenhouse and the wide sculpture of the wheel flares by being cantilevered off the rear quarter glass. Dual chrome exhaust tips are fitted between the bumper and skid plate to complete the integrated appearance.

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INTERIOR DESIGN

Hellion’s efficient, two-box design and three-door package gives the driver and passengers a tidy, functional environment from which to navigate.

“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 ribs on the exterior are evident on the interior as they grow from the side panels to encapsulate the occupants and suspend an overhead console running the length of the interior.

The console houses integrated interior lighting and a drop-down LCD monitor for rear-seat entertainment.

The Hyundai Hellion includes extras that will help drivers take on rugged driving conditions while providing necessary amenities to keep the driver and passengers nestled in relative comfort. As an example, the bucket seats are equipped with a unique hydration system. A removable, refillable reservoir inside each seat replaces the common cupholder. The fluids are accessed by a pump-assisted flow tube that is attached to each seat allowing the individual to hydrate with ease. This hands-free hydration system allows the driver and passengers to focus on the road and scenery.

The instrument panel-mounted information display indicates the status of all in- car systems. Immediate control over climate and audio functions are facilitated via the control panel directly below the monitor. Navigation and more involved instructions are directed through the console-mounted mouse.

PERFORMANCE

Performance had to equal the outspoken styling, so the Hyundai Hellion has been outfitted with an eco-friendly 3.0-liter V6 Common-rail Diesel engine (CRDi) with 236 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission to fit Hellion’s performance demands. The Hellion also comes with 4WD, further underscoring the capability aspects of this CUV.

Photos: Hyundai

November 30, 2006

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