Special Coverage
Geneva
Auto Show
Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd. will introduce a 6-seat multipurpose vehicle codenamed the HED-5 at the Geneva auto show next month, a company spokesman tells Ward's.
“The HED-5 was developed in our European Design Center with inputs from the Hyundai-Kia Vehicle Design Center in Namyang, Korea,” he says.
“The new vehicle uses advanced materials, modules and assembly methods developed with suppliers Bayer (MaterialScience LLC), Recaro (GmbH & Co.) and LG (Group).
“The fuel economy and emissions improvements (achieved) will owe much to the vehicle’s lightweight and outstanding aerodynamic styling,” he says.
Panel and adhesives supplier Bayer MaterialScience recently hooked up with California-based Team Velozzi to develop the much-applauded Velozzi lightweight plug-in hybrid electric vehicle shown at the North American International Auto Show in January.
The Velozzi was an entrant in the Automotive X-Prize competition aimed at encouraging researchers to develop vehicles capable of attaining fuel economy of 100 mpg (2.4 L/100 km) or better.
The Velozzi body design seems inspired by Ferrari SpA, and the research group has said the vehicle may be produced in South Africa through a joint venture.
Hyundai’s other major supplier for the HED-5, Recaro, produces high-end seats for auto makers as well as airline seating systems.
LG supplies a wide array of electronics equipment to the automotive industry.
