The elegant concept could easily represent Hyundai's next step up the feeding chain. Based on the Equus luxury car, only available in the South Korean carmaker's homeland, the HCD-7's elegant yet unorthodox exterior design is said to be inspired by aircraft fuselages. Classic fender swells surround massive 21-in multi-spoke wheels to create a 1930s mystique while contrasting elements such as its modern chrome grille, angular side mirrors and vertical head and taillamps focus on the future. Blackened A and B-pillars give the large sedan a coupe-like appearance enhanced by a raked roofline and tapered rear deck, reminiscent of classic Bentleys.
Inside, luxury 'executive jet' style appointments abound including a 7-inch LCD screen for climate, audio, navigation and trip computer adjustment that pops out of the dashboard when an 'ignition card' is placed into its slot just to the right of the steering wheel. While this cleans up the dash area significantly, endowing the car with the ambience of a simpler time, some would say the concept in real terms hasn't worked too successfully for BMW. Unlike its contemporaries the HCD-7 is refreshingly devoid of wood paneling, replaced with beautifully detailed two-tone leather and custom cut aluminum trim pieces. Its motif is retro in a contemporary way, minimalist like a Frank Lloyd Wright architectural piece.