South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai is showing a lot of products in the Detroit auto show 2011. However, there’s something interesting from what they show on this occasion that a product they callHyundai Curb concept.
Hyundai’s Curb concept moves the automaker’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design language in a more youthful direction. While we’ve seen plenty of urbanized concepts and production vehicles that use the traditional box-like design pioneered by the original Scion xB, Hyundai chose to create something substantially more curvaceous and sleek. “We wanted the Curb to be urban tough without looking like a Brink’s truck,”Hyundai’s designer, Jason Brown, says.
The basis for the Curb’s powertrain is Hyundai’s new 1.6-liter Gamma inline-four, though the addition of aturbocharger means output is boosted to around 175 horsepower. Combined with a dual-clutch transmission, the Curb is efficient enough to achieve around 30 miles per gallon in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. That power runs to the ground through a large set of 22-inch five-spoke wheels wrapped inMichelin tires with a custom saffron-colored tread pattern. Funky, yes, but definitely fitting for an urban concept car.
Other forward-thinking exterior design elements include exhaust vents that open to reveal a bike rack, a pop-up roof rack and a third rear access door for easier ingress and egress to the rear seats.
The interior features a large acrylic screen that allows information to be passed between all of thepassengers inside the Curb, and a heads-up display provided by Continental shows navigation information as well as screens for the cameras used in place of side mirrors. Saffron interior accents compliment the tire tread, and three-holded A-pillars increase the driver’s cornering visibility. Hyundai’s new Blue Linktechnology is used to keep owners connected with their electronic systems at all times, as well.
It’s all very funky and hip, and we’d like to see this sort of design come to live as a sub-Tucson urban utility vehicle. Follow the jump for Hyundai’s official press release and stay tuned for live images direct from the Detroit show floor.
Hyundai Curb Concept front view
Hyundai Curb Concept side view
Hyundai Curb Concept rear view
Hyundai Curb Concept interior
Hyundai Curb Concept dashboard
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