HCD10 Hyundai Hellion concept: 2006 L.A Motor Show

Motoring Channel Staff - 1/Dec/2006

Los Angeles, USA — It looks weird, it's got an angry name, but the Hellion concept was designed to appeal to individualist, according to Hyundai. This rally-inspired vehicle draws on mammalian biology [it even has a spine and ribs - Ed] for its unusual architecture, and features a remarkable hydration system, kind of like the 'CamelBack' system that some extreme sports people use to carry water with them.

Shown to the world for the first time at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, the new concept car from Hyundai is a CUV, or crossover utility vehicle, featuring an AWD transmission for off-road duties and sturdy 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine for strong pulling power. 

Given it's full billing, the HCD10 Hyundai Hellion concept was created by the Hyundai Design and Technical Center in collaboration with Hyundai Motor America, and the compact(ish) 3-door sport crossover may not be the most visually appealing concept car to emerge in 2006, but it does it's job tremendously well: it attracts attention.

"The HCD10 Hyundai Hellion was designed to appeal to a diverse individualist customer," said Joel Piaskowski, chief designer at the Hyundai Design Center, which gets its name from being the 10th concept car in the HCD series.

"Mindset and attitude are becoming the modern way to define new market segments and we feel the Hellion concept will do that. Hellion brings a new attitude to the Hyundai family. It's the sibling who's a bit mischievous and always outspoken," added Piaskowski.

Architecture

Hyundai explains that the Hellion's architecture was inspired by a tough, hardshell backpack that uses 'ribs' to provide structural and visual strength. To support this, Hyundai used three ultra-lightweight structural ribs to create the Hellion's safety cage: these ribs connect to a suspended surfboard-shaped spine. 

The animal symbology used in the creation of this vehicle is refreshing in the sometimes staid concept car world.

Performance

Hyundai says that the new concept car's performance had to equal the outspoken styling, so the Hyundai Hellion has been outfitted with an eco-friendly 3.0-litre V6 Common-rail Diesel engine (CRDi) with 176kW (236hp) and 450Nm of torque. This bent 6-cylinder diesel engine is joined to a 6-speed auto transmission and the Hellion is a 4WD vehicle, giving it scope to head into uncharted territory,

Also, the HCD10 Hyundai Hellion features a range of relatively new technology, such as shift-by-wire transmission, wireless Internet so that you can browse the Motoring Channel on the fly,electronic stability control (ESP), navigation aids and adaptive cruise control.

Exterior Design

"The proportions of the HCD10 Hyundai Hellion make it look and feel tough," said Marc Mainville, the senior designer at the Hyundai Design Center. 

"Short overhangs allow for excellent attack angles for off-roading and the skid plates, muscular wheel flares and tow hooks convey Hellion's strength," he added.

Hyundai says that the Hyundai Hellion's front design explores how new organic structural forms could look on future Hyundai trucks. Hellion's stance is wide and its face is assertive, insists the Korean car maker, with piercing headlights angled towards its dominant grille. A prominent hood scoop enhances Hellion's rally car demeanor while the clamshell hood utilises exposed latches for easy access to the engine bay. 

Hellion's brake lights emphasise the tapering of the greenhouse and the wide sculpture of the wheel flares by being cantilevered off the rear quarter glass. Dual chrome exhaust tips are fitted between the bumper and skid plate to complete the integrated appearance.

A removable canvas soft-top roof adds to the independent spirit of the Hyundai Hellion and the vehicle sits on 20-inch aluminum wheels (constructed in two pieces and are Teflon-coated to resist build-up of the elements).

Interior Design

"The HCD10 Hyundai Hellion has a consistent design theme unifying the interior and exterior resulting in a very cohesive concept car," Martin Frost, the senior designer at the Hyundai Design Center revealed, adding that "the exterior is reflected throughout the interior with stretched surfaces creating interesting negative forms contributing to the perception of space."

The ribs on the exterior are evident on the interior as they grow from the side panels to encapsulate the occupants and suspend an overhead console running the length of the interior. The console houses integrated interior lighting and a drop-down LCD monitor for rear-seat entertainment.

Hyundai has revealed that the HCD10 Hellion has seat-mounted gear packs transform into fully functional backpacks via push-button releases, allowing drivers and passengers to continue their adventures on foot. The bucket seats also feature a unique hydration system, comprising of a removable, refillable reservoir inside each seat, which replaces the common cupholder. The fluids are accessed by a pump-assisted flow tube that is attached to each seat allowing the individual to hydrate with ease, and Hyundai claims that this hands-free hydration system allows the driver and passengers to focus on the road and scenery.

The instrument panel-mounted information display indicates the status of all in-car systems. Immediate control over climate and audio functions are facilitated via the control panel directly below the monitor. Navigation and more involved instructions are directed through the console-mounted mouse.

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