What's the news?

Hyundai has released images of its luxury sports coupé concept - the HND-9. Set to be unveiled in full at the Seoul Motor Show, the HND-9 is (as the codename suggests) the ninth concept to be produced at Hyundai's Research and Development Centre in Namyang, Korea.

Exterior

The HND-9 is said to represent Hyundai's latest fluidic sculpture design philosophy on a low, long and wide car that has a classic sports coupé profile. Its long bonnet features a wide hexagonal grille combined with headlamps and metallic details that appear to have been inspired by the Aston Martin One-77. Moving rearwards, the scissor doors are enormous and incorporate the entire length of the HND-9's window line. The back features an angular light design as well as four large tailpipes. The alloy wheels look to be somewhere around the 21-inch mark, and would no doubt be toned down should the HND-9 make production in any format.

Interior

As Hyundai has released no full interior shots of the HND-9, we don't have an abundance of information here. We do know that it features two sculpted sports seats up front and there are likely to be two smaller seats in the back. The centre console is high and appears to sweep around the driver thanks to aluminium detailing. Behind the steering wheel, traditional dials appear to have been replaced by a screen that is likely to show more than just how fast you're going.

Mechanicals

Lifting the HND-9's enormous bonnet reveals a 3.3-litre GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) petrol engine that sends 370hp to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. We also expect to find a limited-slip differential, uprated suspension and brakes and some kind of selectable driving mode system when we get more details at the unveiling.

Anything else?

Hyundai's press conference on Thursday 28th March at the Seoul Motor Show will provide more information about the HND-9 concept. At present there looks to be no signs of the show car ever making production.

James Giddings - 24 Mar 2013