2013 Detroit - HCD-14 Genesis Concept hints at future luxury models from Hyundai

When Hyundai mooted the idea of venturing into the luxury segment, not many took them seriously. The reasons were quite obvious. Hyundai might have enjoyed a meteoric rise amongst the mainstream automotive brands, but when the competition bears names such as Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, the South Korean manufacturer didn't stand a chance. Or so the nay-sayers thought. But when the Genesis and then the Equus were launched, it dawned on the critics and the public that these Hyundais could actually stand up to the challenge posted by the established German brands and they were, actually, not as big a compromise as they were perceived to be.

Success soon followed and both the Genesis and the Equus managed to sell in respectable numbers. Hyundai, being Hyundai, naturally wants to take this success to the next level. This HCD-14 Genesis Concept, that made its debut in the ongoing 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, provides us with a sneak peek of what to expect out of the next-generation Genesis and Equus models.

Just look at the car and you will agree that there is only one word to describe it - 'polarizing'. The HCD-14 Genesis Concept is sure to split opinions like no other. You will either love it or hate it and nothing else in between. As for us, we are still undecided on whether it's the former or the latter.

The strikingly-detailed headlight and taillight clusters with the word 'Genesis' etched into them and the fact that the concept carries the 'Genesis' logo in the hood and the boot makes us believe that Hyundai is still open to the idea of bringing out an all-new luxury brand, should the need arise later.

Up front, the huge trapezoidal grille with horizontal slats and a brushed metal finish dominates the scene, flanked on both sides by Light Emitting Diodes that functions as headlamps and Daytime Running Lamps. A sharp and deep cut runs along the length of the car, merging beautifully with the head and taillights at the two ends. With those massive wheels, long hood, short overhangs and the huge wheelbase, the HCD-14 Genesis Concept takes the proportions of a classic, rear-wheel drive, sports sedan. The car is adorned with the much-in-vogue four-door coupe design, with the roof curving gently all the way down to the rear end with no separate boot-lid. Inspite of obvious resemblance to the Audi A7, the HCD-14 Concept looks terrific from the profile. At the rear, its a mix of subtle curves and sharp-cut creases that are accentuated by ample usage of chrome.

Step in, and the HCD-14 Concept spells 'luxury' and 'futuristic'. The traditional center console along with it's buttons and switches has been done away with, replaced by an intuitive driver interface system, that uses state-of-the-art technologies such as 'eye-tracking' and '3-D hand gesturing'. That's right. You could select a feature with your eyes and control it with gestures. The  Windshield Heads-up Display (HUD) ensures that the driver isn't distracted and is able to keep his eyes on the road. With four individual captain seats, the interiors impart a sense of luxury that is very much essential to make an impact in this segment. Hyundai is also said to be hard at work on improving the dynamics of the next-generation Genesis and Equus, which means that the driver will also enjoy the experience in addition to those being chauffeured around.

Doing duty under the hood is Hyundai's award-winning Tau V8 engine with a whopping 5.0-liter cubic capacity.

Expect elements and technologies from the HCD-14 Genesis Concept to trickle down into the next-generation Genesis and Equus models, before slowly getting into models like the Azera and Sonata. Not so long ago, the 'Fluidic Sculpture' design theme bowled us all over. Will the 'Fluidic Precision', which is how the design theme of this concept is being referred to, do it all over again?

2013 Detroit - Toyota previews next-gen Corolla with Furia Concept

Amidst the glitz and glamour that was the 2013 Detroit Motor Show, Toyota revealed the Corolla Furia Concept, which previews the design direction of the next-generation compact sedan from the Japanese manufacturer. Yes, this is how the next-generation Corolla, the world's largest selling car of all time and the most popular automobile nameplate ever, might end up looking like. And if that happens to be true, it might catapult Corolla to dizzying heights.

All through its existence, reliability and dependability have been Corolla's fortes, but good looks certainly weren't. With Toyota sticking to a conservative approach during each redesign to ensure that potential customers across continents aren't offended, the Corolla, over the last few generations, has always ended up looking bland and sober. Take the previous generation Corolla, for instance. Parked next to the Civic, it would hardly garner a second glance.

'But, why would they change the approach to a car that's already a global best-seller?' you might wonder. The answer, in a word, is 'competition'. Honda Civic, Corolla's chief competitor in most countries worldwide, has been the segment's benchmark when it comes to design, styling and engineering. To add to that, the recent rise of Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus, Volkswagen Jetta and Kia Forte has made the Corolla increasingly vulnerable, necessitating a refreshing change in the next-generation model. And that change has to start from Toyota's design studios.

If Toyota's intent with the Corolla Furia Concept is to show the world that it can make great-looking cars, we aren't going to say a word against it.

The car is smashing to look at, with those thin LED headlights, octagonal grille, streaks of chrome on either sides of the Toyota logo and the striking taillight clusters making the Corolla Furia stand out in the crowd. The flared wheel arches, the twin exhaust pipes and the diffuser-style cladding in the rear bumper accentuates the sporty nature that Toyota intends to take with the next-generation Corolla. Those sculpted edges of the front and rear bumpers display a sense of aggression that was missing from the Corolla all these days. Though Toyota has not revealed a thing about the interiors or the powertrain options on the Furia Concept, we strongly smell record-smashing success written all over, even if the production model ends up looking just half as good as this concept car.

Beware Civic, Elantra and Focus! The Corolla is getting ready to make a splash!

2012 Geneva - Tata unveils stunning MegaPixel Concept

We aren't exaggerating one bit when we say that the swanky floors of Geneva, and not Mumbai or New Delhi, brings the best out of Tata Motors. You just have to look at the various concepts that Tata had displayed in Geneva in the past to validate our statement. If the Pixel Concept that Tata showcased at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show left you impressed, this MegaPixel Concept, an evolution of last year's car just unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show will leave you, well, mighty impressed. According to Tata, the MegaPixel is a global, four-seater, city-smart, range extended electric vehicle (REEV) concept for the performance-seeking and environment-conscious motorist anywhere in the world.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Prakash M. Telang, Managing Director - India Operations, Tata Motors, said, “The Tata Megapixel, developed by our design centers in India, the UK and Italy, is our idea of a city car for discerning motorists in any megacity of the world. It is a result of the progress we have made on the Tata Pixel, displayed last year, and also denotes the company’s future design direction”. The MegaPixel Concept has a lithium ion phosphate battery that could be recharged on the move by an on-board petrol engine generator. Some facts and figures of the MegaPixel Concept like what is listed below are sure to leave you surprised.

* Driving range of upto 900 km with a single tank of fuel
* CO2 emissions of just 22 g/km
* Fuel economy of 100 km/l under battery-only power

 

Other stand-out features of the car include the class-leading 'Zero Turn' drive system that wooed us all in the Pixel and is sure to leave us spell-bound with its even higher level of maneuverability in the MegaPixel. Each wheel houses an independent electric motor which, while parking, drive the wheels in opposite directions while the front wheels are capable of turning at an acute angle, resulting in an outstanding turning radius of just 2.8 meters. Another innovative feature is the 'at-home' induction charging system that begins charging the car as soon as it is parked over an induction pad. An advanced version of the Human Machine Interface (HMI) shown in the Pixel also finds its way into the MegaPixel.

Coming to the design aspect, we confess that we just can't stop raving about the ravishing design of the car if we start. The MegaPixel, with its twin-sliding doors that open in the opposite directions, pillarless profile, integrated headlights and grille, beautifully-designed front and rear bumpers, panoramic glass roof, slingshot rear-view mirrors and funky LED lights is a real show-stopper that will make Tata, and hence India, proud in the hi-fi auto-funda spaces of Geneva. Like what it did with every other concept displayed at Geneva till date, we really do not want Tata to confine something as beautiful, advanced, practical and intelligent as the MegaPixel to just a motor show. That would be really cruel.

The more logical thing for Tata to do is to obviously tone down the concept a little and bring it closer to production. If they do that, we are sure that it will just fly off the showroom floors. And by that, we aren't referring to the Indian market alone, mind you. Before we part, here is a beautifully shot video of the MegaPixel that touches on all the highlights of this latest effort by Tata Motors. Check it out and post your views in the comments section below.

Cool Concepts #3 - Mercedes-Benz Aero Trailer

The word ‘truck’ is almost always associated with the image of a big, slow-moving and a high-polluting vehicle. Atleast in India, this image of a ‘truck’ holds good as the design of the trucks that we get to see here are neither aerodynamic enough to punch a big hole efficiently in the air nor are they powerful enough to aid quick acceleration and high speeds. The situation only gets worse when it comes to tractor trailers as they are bigger, slower and more polluting than the regular trucks. It is not highly uncommon to see a single tractor trailer blocking the way and slowing down an entire chain of other vehicles on our highways. But, Mercedes-Benz seems to have a solution for this.

The ‘Aero Trailer Concept’ that was showcased at the Trailer 2011 show that took place in Belgium in the last week of November is Mercedes’ interpretation of how the future trailers should be. The trailer coupled with the Actros tractor is modern, stylish and aerodynamic – terms that you do not normally associate with a big rig. The design of the Aero Trailer proves that trucks can also look stunning and make us drool over their looks when they are not designed with rulers and set squares, as is often the norm. The Aero Trailer is not all show and no go as it boasts features like air dam, body taper and rear diffuser – things that would hitherto make sense only on exotic sports cars and F1 cars.

FACTFILE: 

* Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz

* Model Name: Aero Trailer Concept

* Debut: Trailer 2011, Belgium

* Competitors: All other Trailers

Overall, Mercedes-Benz claims that the Aero Trailer offers 18% less wind resistance which, in turn, reduces the fuel consumption by 5%. For an average running of 150,000 km a year, that would mean a saving of 2000 liters of diesel fuel and a huge 5 ton reduction in the amount of carbon-di-oxide released into the atmosphere. Be it the air dam, the side trim panels, the rear diffuser or the rear end extension called “boat tail”, Mercedes-Benz has tested each of these features in the wind tunnel before incorporating them in the concept. With more than 25 years of research in aerodynamics, the company is planning a lot of other things that would make tractor trailers more endearing to the environment.

With all this hard work already done, I say ‘Bring it on, Mercedes-Benz’. If not for protecting the environment, at least it would make the roads a much better place to look at and drive through.

2011 Frankfurt - Ford set to stun audience with the Evos Concept

Rarely do automotive manufacturers consider the concept of ‘concepts’ seriously and use them as basis for their future models. Rather, most companies prefet to relegate them as just show-pieces letting us drool over their looks and imagine the usefulness of the many techno gizmos that they come loaded with. Ford thankfully does not belong to this group and is known for bringing most of their concepts to production form with minimal changes. It was this fact that got me all excited on seeing this new Ford Evos concept. Are we at last going to have an affordable mass-market sedan that looks truly gorgeous?



To be unveiled to the public at the ongoing 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford gave a sneak preview of the car at a special media event organized in Berlin. Derrick Kuzak, VP, Global Product Development at Ford said during the unveiling - "The Ford Evos Concept unites three key elements which are at the core of our One Ford global product strategy: outstanding design, smart technologies and fuel economy leadership. With its compelling design and innovative vehicle technologies, it is a clear demonstration of the exciting vision we have for the Ford brand."



The Evos Concept looks like an evolution of the brand’s successful 'Kinetic Design' theme with quite a few sharp cuts and creases adorning the body. Featuring a typical Ford honey-comb grille, ultra slim headlights, lovely foglamps surrounding the twin airdams, diamond-shaped taillights and a chunky trapezoidal exhaust tip at the center of the rear bumper, the Evos makes a stunning style statement. Without a doubt, the four sculpted gullwing doors that open skywards and extends well into the roof are the most eye-catching design elements of the car.



Ford says that though the Evos Concept throws a sneak peak into the future design elements of the brand, this car will not make it to production in its current form. Now, thats hardly surprising. Heck, in all probability, the gullwings too won’t make it to production. But, do we really care? The innovative and futuristic approach of the Evos continues in its interiors and powertrain as well. Again, who cares? Even if Ford stays half-true to its tradition and come up with a production model which is at least partly based on the Evos, we are in for a visual treat.



The Evos Concept looks to be similarly-sized to C and D segment cars of our world. Imagine the next generation Ford Mondeo with such gorgeous looks, next-best-only-to-BMW handling, powerful yet fuel-efficient ‘Ecoboost’ engines, futuristic interiors loaded with features and an affordable non-exotic price tag. Now, that's what most of us auto-enthusiasts dreams are made of, isn't it? You may well argue that such a combination is possible only in dreams but the point is, with the Evos Concept, Ford has come tantalizingly close in converting that dream into a reality.

2011 Geneva - Tata unveils Pixel Concept

Sharing floor space and hogging the limelight amidst global premieres from brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche at the 81st International Auto Show in Geneva, was India’s largest automaker Tata, which unveiled its vision of a future city car in Europe, the Pixel Concept. Speaking on the occasion, Carl-Peter Forster, MD and CEO of Tata Motors, said “Tata Motors holds true to its belief that there is an opportunity in Europe for a city car, which is optimal in space, maneuverability and environment-friendliness. The Tata Pixel is a reflection of Tata Motor's idea of what such a car should be.”

Though it has been derived from the Nano, the cheapest car in the world, the Pixel looks nothing like it. Compared with its probable competitors like Smart Fortwo and Toyota iQ, the Pixel looks better and would surely turn more heads than either of them. The fact that Pixel can accommodate four adults in comfort unlike any of its competitors is an added bonus.



From the front, the similarity in design cues with the Nano is clearly evident. The headlamps in particular looks remarkably similar but the LED clusters and the huge windscreen make sure that the car looks much more upmarket than it actually is. In profile, the unusually large glasshouse and the uniquely shaped scissor doors look elegant. From the rear though, the Pixel looks stunning with those beautifully shaped taillight clusters with integrated LEDs. If this car makes it to production as such, Tata can undoubtedly claim to be having one of the best looking compact cars in the world.



The Pixel also has some advanced technology beneath its alluring looks. The Zero-Turn toroidal traction drive Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) assists rotation of the outer rear wheel forwards and the inner rear wheel backwards while the front wheels turn at acute angles. As a result, the car has a turning radius of just 2.6 meters, thus enabling easy maneuverability and parking inside the city. The scissor doors have been designed to open skywards allowing easy entry and exit for passengers of both rows even in the tightest of places. Moreover, key functions of the car would be controlled by the driver’s smart phone through ‘My Tata Connect’, the first-ever integrated human-machine interface concept from Tata.



With a 1.2L three cylinder turbocharged diesel engine powering the rear wheels, low rolling resistance tires, stop start technology and regenerative braking, we can safely assume the Pixel to bring in lively performance, good fuel efficiency and lesser CO2 emissions to meet the strict European standards.



Hats off, Tata! Just like you did with the Nano, you have again made the Indian flag fly high at Geneva. Please don’t let the Pixel go into the drain just like the Magna, Aria, Prima and many of your other earlier concepts. Give it a shot at the Indian market too and I am sure you will be rewarded for it!

Cool Concepts #2 - Lamborghini Estoque

May God bless the folks who created this whole concept of four-door sports sedan. Seriously, it’s a dream combination of the power, performance and handling of an exotic sports car and the space, practicality and features of a luxury sedan. Though Aston-Martin, Lamborghini and Bugatti too have displayed similar concepts, it was Porsche who entered this market segment in serial production with it’s Panamera. And boy, what a success it has been for Porsche, with the company recently producing the 10,000th Panamera within a year of global launch.

Any new model from Lamborghini is sure to grab eyeballs and headlines across the global automotive press. This though, did not happen for a long time as the company was happy continuing with it’s super successful twins, the Gallardo and Murcielago and their numerous power-packed versions. So, when the company finally showcased a four-door sports sedan which was unlike any other previous model it has produced, it literally bowled everybody off their feet.



FACTFILE: 

* Manufacturer: Lamborghini  

* Model Name: Estoque 

* Debut: 2008 Paris Motor Show  

* Competitors: Porsche Panamera, Aston-Martin Rapide

The Estoque, as it is christened, will go down in history as one of the most aggressive looking sedans ever created. Period. With it’s sporty, muscular lines and stunning proportions, the Estoque stole the show, literally. Just view the profile once and you will accept that it's one of the finest ever crafted. Though the global recession in 2009 almost killed this model, it would be a huge sin if Lamborghini decides to confine this striking design as a show-stopping concept alone. Latest reports suggest that Lamborghini is in fact considering producing this as it’s much-awaited third model range, which is the most sensible thing to do, so that Porsche and Aston-Martin has some serious competition. If the runaway success of the Panamera and the positive initial response to the Rapide is any indication, the Estoque, if ever made, will surely become one of the highly produced Lamborghinis of all time.



Now that the wish has been made, it's time for prayers to make it happen.

Cool Concepts #1 - Tata Prima

The idea behind the conceptualization of this new series "Cool Concepts" is very simple. Posts with this title will feature cars showcased by manufacturers as Concepts, which are my favorites and nevertheless too good in their own respect, but have not made it to production till now for various reasons.

FACTFILE:



* Manufacturer: Tata 

* Model Name: Prima Concept 

* Debut: 2009 Geneva Motor Show 

* Competitors: Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic

Launching this series is our very own Tata Prima concept displayed at 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Having done this for close to a decade now, displaying concepts in Geneva is not new for Tata but the unfortunate fact is that literally none of them have been transformed from concept stage to production as yet.

Just one glance at the Prima will tell that this thing looks nothing like what Tata has ever produced. Infact, none of the models that Tata has made so far even comes close to this beauty. The styling of this sedan was done by the famed Italian design house "Pininfarina" who are better known for designing Ferraris and Alfa-Romeos than Tatas. Except for a slightly odd grille at the front, the rest of the car looks fabulous. Especially the rear with its XF like taillights will not look out of place in a Jaguar. I could imagine that if this thing runs on Indian roads with the Tata badge, its sure to catapult Tata's Brand Image to an all-together higher level with its stunning head-turning design and looks. This would be the first Tata that people would 'want to buy' rather than forced to buy.

Hope Tata is listening and does not let a beauty like this run into the drain just like their concepts of previous years.