2002 Hyundai Sante Fe Mountaineer

Hyundai has designs on the future at the Seoul Motor Show

Dreams on wheels' was the theme of Hyundai Motor Company's stand at the 2002 Seoul Motor Show with centre stage going to the daring and futuristic HIC and HCD-7 concept cars. HMC complemented this look into the future by revealing new and innovative technologies that will revolutionise the Hyundai driving experience in the coming years.

The HIC - High-technology Intelligence Coupe - is based on the XG platform and is powered by a substantial 3.5-litre, V6 engine. Styled at Hyundai's Japanese Design Center, this car is a testbed for futuristic technologies such as an intelligent distance-sensing cruise control system, which constantly keeps the vehicle at a safe distance from the vehicle in front. This stylish concept has also been given night visibility capabilities as well as a peripheral monitoring system, which uses CCTV to replace rearview mirrors and enable the driver to see around the complete car.

First seen at the Chicago Motor Show earlier this year, the deluxe 4.5-litre V8-engined HCD-7 concept saw its first viewing by the Korean public at the Seoul Show. Conceived and developed at Hyundai's Californian Design studio, the HCD-7 was inspired by an aircraft fuselage which can be seen both inside the cabin and out with its smooth lines.

Two other cars unveiled at the show quickly gathered public interest. The Coupe, known as the Tuscani on the domestic market, has had a make-over giving it the name of the Coupe Aero with a new, distinctive nose plus aggressive aerodynamic projection headlamps offering it a true sports feel. The Santa Fe Mountaineer is another exciting design exercise that has treated the original model to an even more rugged and sturdy front end, enhanced by sleek angular headlights.

Hyundai went on to lift the curtain on a new generation of telematics that is being developed in collaboration with computer giant IBM. Voice-operated and totally secure, the telematics portal opens up a whole new era of on-demand car computing that will provide services to make driving safer and more convenient.

Following the widespread public interest in the new cars and technology on the Hyundai stand in Seoul, Hyundai Chief Executive Officer Dong-Jin Kim said: "We have put a lot of work into our research and development efforts over the past few years and we are seeing the results of this."

He added: "Many of the things you see on these cars are now close to production and we will start seeing them on our cars very soon."

SOURCE: Hyundai. Please mention www.allcarindex.com if you use this text.