With its Portico concept, Hyundai is taking its turn trying to create a new segment that it can then go on to dominate. It's all part of the Korean company's plan to become one of the five biggest automakers in the world.
Well, they're welcome to all the success they get if they actually turn this concept into a reality after it departs the Chicago auto show where it recently debuted.
Everything about this six-seat vehicle is cool, from its exterior shape to its interior trappings to its extensive glass roof that dims as required, but most especially those huge and pillar-less doors that swing wide to provide incredible access to the trendy seats.
Hyundai's vice-president of product development and strategic planning, John Krafcik, describes Portico (which is an upscale term for ''porch'') as ''the next generation of family transportation'' that will ''adapt to the changing needs of modern families.''
This sort of suggests that it's something like a minivan and a station wagon and a crossover-utility-vehicle or whatever name will help it sell.
Krafcik explains that the Portico concept ''previews Hyundai's future growth in the North American market and its evolution here to a full-range producer of cars, trucks, and innovative concepts like this one that defy simple categorization.''
Whatever it is, says Butterfield, "Portico features seating for six passengers and roomy, flexible cargo space -- previewing the types of attributes we'll be adding to our growing Hyundai lineup in North America. We'll have two all-new Hyundai models with seating for seven and roomy, flexible cargo space within the next year or so, and that's all part of the 24/7 new model launch cadence we started with the Hyundai Tucson last fall.''
Portico is neither a sedan nor an SUV, Butterfield claims, ''but it provides the benefits of both designs with a car-like ride and a large, versatile and family friendly interior. Portico combines the functional benefits of current family vehicles in a stylish package with better drivability.''
Portico's exterior is supposed to offer a ''clean aesthetic appeal that delivers a feeling of strength and substance.'' To that end, designers employed a unique panoramic roof design with glass that can be darkened to control the amount of sunlight getting into the vehicle.
The unique seating configuration improves ingress and egress for six passengers, Butterfield says, while providing better legroom for all the passengers when compared to the common three-row configuration of current family vehicles.
''Portico's wide stance and long wheelbase deliver lots of useful interior space,'' says Butterfield. ''The innovative concept's key feature is the large, comfortable and versatile interior that provides three-across seating and the option of staggered seating for three in both the front seat and the second seat.''
Using two rows of three seats -- which can be staggered -- allows for comfortable three-across seating, he claims. This seating configuration also provides much more space and volume for cargo behind the rear seat, which is something that three-row vehicles often lack.
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| Hyundai Portico Concept (photo: Hyundai Motors) |
Everything about this six-seat vehicle is cool, from its exterior shape to its interior trappings to its extensive glass roof that dims as required, but most especially those huge and pillar-less doors that swing wide to provide incredible access to the trendy seats.
Hyundai's vice-president of product development and strategic planning, John Krafcik, describes Portico (which is an upscale term for ''porch'') as ''the next generation of family transportation'' that will ''adapt to the changing needs of modern families.''
This sort of suggests that it's something like a minivan and a station wagon and a crossover-utility-vehicle or whatever name will help it sell.
Krafcik explains that the Portico concept ''previews Hyundai's future growth in the North American market and its evolution here to a full-range producer of cars, trucks, and innovative concepts like this one that defy simple categorization.''
Whatever it is, says Butterfield, "Portico features seating for six passengers and roomy, flexible cargo space -- previewing the types of attributes we'll be adding to our growing Hyundai lineup in North America. We'll have two all-new Hyundai models with seating for seven and roomy, flexible cargo space within the next year or so, and that's all part of the 24/7 new model launch cadence we started with the Hyundai Tucson last fall.''
Portico is neither a sedan nor an SUV, Butterfield claims, ''but it provides the benefits of both designs with a car-like ride and a large, versatile and family friendly interior. Portico combines the functional benefits of current family vehicles in a stylish package with better drivability.''
Portico's exterior is supposed to offer a ''clean aesthetic appeal that delivers a feeling of strength and substance.'' To that end, designers employed a unique panoramic roof design with glass that can be darkened to control the amount of sunlight getting into the vehicle.
The unique seating configuration improves ingress and egress for six passengers, Butterfield says, while providing better legroom for all the passengers when compared to the common three-row configuration of current family vehicles.
 |
| Hyundai Portico Concept (photo: Hyundai Motors) |
Using two rows of three seats -- which can be staggered -- allows for comfortable three-across seating, he claims. This seating configuration also provides much more space and volume for cargo behind the rear seat, which is something that three-row vehicles often lack.