Hyundai Motor has presented a glimpse of its future design direction for its premium vehicles at the 2013 Dubai International Motor Show, accelerating its push into the global luxury segment. The luxury concept also hints at the company’s future premium convenience features by showcasing cutting-edge technologies such as innovative eye-tracking and gesture-based controls.

Sales of Hyundai’s luxury vehicles have been posting significant gains worldwide, especially in the Middle East, U.S. and China.  Hyundai Motor America, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co., staged the world premiere of the HCD-14 Genesis concept at this year’s NAIAS (14-27 January 2013).

“Hyundai’s Genesis and Centennial models are now recognized as serious contenders in the global luxury market. Our concept vehicle today will further raise Hyundai’s premium brand image,” said Tak Uk Im, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Head of Hyundai Motor’s International Operations Division in Seoul. “Our focus going forward is to strive for brand innovation based on quality.”

In 2012, Hyundai’s top end models such as the Genesis and Centennial (also known as Equus in some markets) saw a 24 percent sales increase outside Korea compared to the previous year. In the Middle East region, sales of the two models reached 4,132 units, an increase of more than 45 percent from a year earlier. For the first time, Centennial was named 2012 Car of the Year by the leading Middle East car magazine, Sport Auto.

FLUIDIC PRECISION DESIGN

HCD-14 Genesis conveys a fluidic-precision, liquid-metal design language. Craftsmanship quality is conveyed via gemstone-like design surfaces. A bold front fascia surrounds brushed metal grille surfaces with a deep vertical grille opening. The corners of the rear hood incorporate heat extractor design accents that integrate seamlessly with exterior mirror design. From the side view silhouette, classic rear-drive sport sedan proportions are conveyed by an extended dash-to-axle length, short overhangs, large-diameter wheels, sharply-tapered greenhouse, and short rear deck. Large wheels were developed from a mix of premium lightweight alloys with carbon fiber surrounding the voided areas of the wheel design.

“We instilled HCD-14 Genesis with a premium-sport 4-door coupe road presence,” said Christopher Chapman, chief designer, Hyundai Design North America. “Its sleek and lightweight silhouette does not punish the wind, but uses fluidic precision with dramatic surfacing that conveys natural restraint. Inside, a driver-centric cockpit prioritizes dramatic sculpture over infotainment button overload. Laminated and milled-wood detailing delivers a fresh, topographical map-like visual interest throughout the cabin-length center console.”

REAR-HINGED REAR DOOR CABIN ACCESS

Opening the rear door reveals a rear-hinged configuration, with a single, oversized, brushed-aluminum hinge articulating diagonally from the rear door cutline. With both doors open, HCD-14 Genesis has an inviting and commodious cabin ambience. Inside the cabin, a double-cresting-wave center console design carries from the instrument panel through to the rear seats. This design-wave theme further influences the interior door handles and rear headrest hoods. Gauges and driver data are provided via an eclectic fusion of both analog and digital sources, with aviation-derived design cues. The driver-focused cockpit offers an asymmetrical center stack, with critical driving functions separated from passenger comfort functions. The center console even includes an iPad® tablet storage station, keeping it secure in spirited driving.

ACTIVE DRIVER SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

While the HCD-14 Genesis exterior design makes a statement all its own, the driver’s environment is where its technological innovation breaks new ground. Ergonomics engineers eliminated the traditional center stack, developing an intuitive driver interface system that allows the HCD-14 driver to better keep his eyes on the road. Freed from traditional design restrictions, designers created a controls layout devoid of intimidating clusters of buttons and knobs. Using state-of-the-art driver eye-tracking and 3-D hand-gesture recognition, HCD-14 Genesis is able to recognize driver commands free from the distractions associated with manual controls. Once a specific feature is selected via eye-tracking, thumb controls or gesture recognition can be used to select navigation, infotainment, audio, HVAC, and even smartphone connectivity functions. This intuitive interface provides the driver with complete control while keeping his eyes safely above the cowl plane, using a windshield heads-up display (HUD) for minimal driving distraction. This proprietary interface represents Hyundai’s vision for future vehicle HMI and sets a new benchmark in active driver safety technology.

DRIVER-CENTRIC VEHICLE DYNAMICS

HCD-14’s innovative eye-tracking and gesture-based controls reduce typical driving distractions, resulting in a more focused driver able to better appreciate the day-to-day satisfaction of exceptional vehicle dynamics. To this end, HCD-14 Genesis vehicle dynamics take the driver to a new level of involvement, focus, and control. An ultra-rigid chassis with strategic use of high-tensile steel provides a vault-like platform for the rear-drive powertrain configuration. Sophisticated five-link front and rear suspension reduces suspension-travel changes to camber and toe for consistent grip out of bends. A multi-mode power steering system retains road feel and feedback advantages while yielding the efficiency benefits of an electronic system. Low-profile performance tires yield outstanding turn-in response, mid-corner grip, and road feel. A sophisticated yaw-control system provides multiple driver-selected options for changing road conditions and driving preferences. Such an advanced complement of tarmac-gripping technologies requires an equally-impressive powertrain to be fully exploited, and the Hyundai-developed Tau® V8 engine is more than up to the task.

DIRECT-INJECTED TAU® V8 POWER

The HCD-14 Genesis powertrain features the award-winning Hyundai Tau® V8 engine, displacing 5.0-liters, with direct injection and Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT), for impressive power, low emissions and superb efficiency. HCD-14 Genesis uses optical recognition to identify the driver and initiate the starting sequence, while gear selection for the 8-speed automatic transmission is performed via paddle shifters. HCD-14 Genesis exhaust is ceramic-lined and was tuned for minimal backpressure, maximum high-rpm horsepower, and a deep baritone note, with cooling fins integrated into ultra-wide exhaust tips.

[PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE (PHEV)]

Hyundai also exhibited its first PHEV system at the show. Based on a mid-sized sedan concept, the PHEV showcased Hyundai’s latest technological developments. Hyundai aims for mass production of PHEV based on this system. Powered by 2.0 GDI engine, the next-generation PHEV runs 32km on a single charge in all-electric mode, and when the battery power falls to a certain level, it automatically switches to hybrid mode, enabling longer driving distances. The battery can be fully charged at home in about three hours.

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