The HCD8 Coupe Gets an Adjustable Air Suspension for Light-Duty Off-Road Use
Could this be the next-generation Tiburon? Hyundai is keeping tight lips about this concept's future but considering the interest the car created after it was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, something similar would be a smart bet.
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| The HCD8 Sports Tourer is a stunning styling exercise and one that could go far to increase both the visibility and continued mainstream popularity of Hyundai. (Photo: Joseph Cabadas, Canadian Auto Press) |
Hyundai calls its new concept the HCD8 Sports Tourer, the latter two words of which are usually designated for SUV/wagon crossovers. Nevertheless, it's a stunning styling exercise and one that could go far to increase both the visibility and continued mainstream popularity of the South Korean manufacturer in North America.
"The Hyundai HCD8 sports tourer was designed to address the sporty car market and still meet the values and needs of today's consumer," said Joel Piaskowski, Chief Designer at the Hyundai Kia Design and Technical Center in Irvine, California.
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| "The HCD8 is designed to appeal to 'youthful minded professionals' who want a great looking, high performance sports coupe with the added functionality they need." (Photo: Joseph Cabadas, Canadian Auto Press) |
Hyundai reports that its design team incorporated in-house market research to help develop the basic premise for the new car's design, which essentially is a performance-oriented coupe that also offers greater flexibility by delivering more interior room and easier access for occupants and luggage.
"We used the findings from HMA Marketing and Product Planning studies and incorporated them into the HCD8 sports tourer," Piaskowski commented. He also stated, "In the U.S., the sporty coupe segment is viewed as a flat or even a declining market. For this segment to grow, the vehicles must evolve to meet the needs of consumers. Their diverse lifestyles require vehicles with increased accessibility, more functionality and more cargo volume. The HCD8 is designed to appeal to 'youthful minded professionals' who want a great looking, high performance sports coupe with the added functionality they need."