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?