Los Angeles auto show: HED-5 concept makes it’s US premiere
Hyundai HED-5 concept car makes it’s US premiere at the 2008 Los Angeles auto show. Hyundai Motor America today introduced the HED-5 concept car at Los Angeles Auto Show. This futuristic looking crossover is making its second premiere after it was first unveiled at Geneva Auto Show earlier this year.
The six-seat crossover concept car combines a visionary styling with future technologies and advanced eco-dynamics. It provides a glimpse into the future of travel, incorporating innovative weight-saving technologies, a modern fuel-efficient four-cylinder direct injection turbo, and a flexible interior package.
Powered by Theta Turbo GDI engine, this 2,0L gasoline engine features a direct injection system that injects the fuel directly inside the cylinder in small, precise amounts, resulting in an improved performance and engine response.
Thanks to the fitted turbocharger, the engine develops a respectable amount of horsepower. Rated at 286 hp, the four-cylinder Theta Turbo GDI engine matches most of six-cylinder engines out there in terms of power, while delivering up to 20 percent lower fuel consumption!
While the exterior design of the HED-5 will most likely never become a reality, its ultra efficient, high-tech turbo engine will find its way into various Hyundai models that will come to the market in the near future.
Continue here to see more images and read the official Hyundai HED-5 concept press release…
HYUNDAI HED-5 “i-MODE” CONCEPT MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW WITH NEW ECO-FRIENDLY POWERTRAIN
2.0-liter, Four-cylinder Turbo Engine with Gasoline Direct Injection Approved for U.S. Market Intro in 2010
Hyundai unveiled the HED-5 “i-Mode” concept at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show today, featuring an all-new, eco-friendly powertrain making its first-ever appearance for Hyundai. The six-passenger family crossover, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, combines visionary styling with future technologies and advanced eco-dynamics.
For its North American debut, Hyundai added a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with state-of-the-art Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) that improves efficiency and reduces emissions.
The HED-5 i-Mode concept and the new powerplant, called the Theta Turbo GDI, have been green lighted for the U.S. market. Variants of the engine will appear in various Hyundai models. Timing and specifications for a production version of a family crossover similar to HED-5 i-Mode are currently in development.
HED-5 “i-Mode” Concept Highlights
- Six-seater monocab design
- World debut of turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with Gasoline Direct Injection
- High-end materials and advanced eco-dynamics
- Unique Swivel Seat concept
- Futuristic communications and entertainment system
“The HED-5 i-Mode concept provides a glimpse into the future of travel, incorporating innovative weight-saving technologies, a modern fuel-efficient four-cylinder direct injection turbo, and a flexible interior package,” said John Krafcik, vice president, Product Development and Strategic Planning, Hyundai Motor America.
All-new Theta Turbo GDI
For the U.S. market, the HED-5 i-Mode reveals a first-ever powerplant for Hyundai, the Theta Turbo GDI. The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine uses gasoline direct injection technology. By injecting the fuel directly inside the cylinder in small, precise amounts, the performance and response of the engine improve thanks to the intake charge cooling. Both fuel efficiency and exhaust emissions improve due to the improved combustion.
Combine GDI with turbo charging and the result is exceptional power output. The engine has capacity for up to 286 horsepower, greater than most six-cylinder engines on the market, while improving fuel economy by 15-20 percent. The Theta Turbo GDI includes Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) to further improve efficiency. This ultra-efficient, high-tech gasoline engine will be fitted in various Hyundai models in future model years.
HED-5 Cross-industry Collaboration Drives Packaging and Technology Advancements
Hyundai continues cross-industry cooperation to speed new technologies to market through such partners as Bayer MaterialScience AG, Keiper and LG Electronics. The cooperation with Bayer MaterialScience enabled the complex curvature and radical design of the HED-5 to be implemented sooner.
The materials used are lighter and more adaptable than the metal and glass they replace. This, in combination with a light-weight body construction, reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. “Self-healing,” water-based finishes from Bayer add another environmentally friendly twist to the vehicle and even let minor scratches appear to “magically” disappear, saving the need for costly repair.
Through the advanced multimedia and entertainment concept developed by LG Electronics, the vehicle becomes an extension of the digital home allowing passengers to stay connected, communicate, and interact in the car and beyond. Access to the Web, video games, movies or video phones are possible through the pop-down touch-screen displays and Webcams located in the overhead console. A wireless network, cable-free keyboards, game controllers, and headphones further personalize the entertainment experience.
Hyundai’s engineering partner, Keiper, supported the HED-5 i-Mode project with the exclusive world premiere of its new and unique Swivel Seat concept. The first-row passenger seat flips to face second- and third-row occupants. Additionally, the second-row bench slides rearward to increase comfort and create a social space for communication.
The i-Mode Design
An innovative mechanism enables the sliding door to be free from conventional inner and outer guide rails. When the doors are opened, the lack of a B-pillar enables a feeling of space and remarkable accessibility to the generous interior.
The Hyundai design team worked extensively with new composite materials to enable unconventional and irregular shapes. The architecture of the HED-5 i-Mode is supported by an external frame protecting the space within, like a shell.
In cooperation with Bayer MaterialScience, the HED-5 i-Mode is the first vehicle to feature the new “BayVision” glazing system and Collimator headlight lenses made from Makrolon®. This innovative glazing alternative enables extended transparent areas, further reducing weight.
Through the innovative door opening mechanism, the interior of the HED-5 i-Mode reveals an inviting landscape of softly sculpted shapes and advanced technology. The first step into the vehicle reveals the elegant application of natural materials. Soft, silky leather in warm and natural brown tones provides a level of comfort normally reserved for the home.
Attention is immediately drawn to the seats, which offer first-class comfort combining a modern, floating look with innovative functionality, enabling the occupants to experience the lounge atmosphere without the limitations of a conventional automotive interior layout.
November 21st, 2008 at 12:15 am
Yes! I knew it would eventually happen. Hyundai goes through with their original concept design and produces their ugliest car to date! They finally make a love or hate car! And the way americans are… it will probably be a best seller. I think the thing is hideous! It will be the Pacer or Gremlin or even the Aztek of the new millennium. Barf!… When I can stand it and it grows on mea little more, I will check out the specs. It figures they would put an incredible car in a homely package! I just hope it never gets to production without serious design modifications. Sorry.
November 21st, 2008 at 9:21 am
i GUARANTEE you that if you moved the rear door handle the the normal spot, it will look much different. the way the handles are designed is very modern which is why it looks awkward. it changes the whole car. and clearly nothing will look like this in production in the near future. give it 7-10 years. look at the entourage’s handles when they are chrome. they look weird but cool and modern and really change the vehicle.
November 21st, 2008 at 9:52 am
This “thing” or let’s say it a car, looks qite different and much better when you see it in-person. At other boards, I read many negative words about it, but people have only seen pics.
I have seen a video, and it looks much better there. I hope that video hits the Youtube soon and I’ll post it here.
January 30th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Yikes…looks ..ummmm…yea
February 20th, 2010 at 6:34 am
HED-5 was a really cool piece of car design!!
March 29th, 2010 at 3:21 am
FYI, I can’t see this correctly on the latest Halon browser.