Hyundai will showcase the production version of its Arnejs hatchback at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, ahead of the model’s market launch by mid this year. Also gracing the stands will be an all-new crossover-SUV concept, of which Hyundai has already released an initial sketch. The vehicle is being touted as an enviro-friendly SUV that will score high in pedestrian security.
Like the Arnejs concept first displayed at the Paris Auto Show last year, this new concept was also designed at Hyundai’s new studio in Russelsheim, Germany. If it were ever to go into production, the vehicle would most likely be constructed at one of the Korean company’s factories in either Slovakia or the Czech Republic.
Hyundai will also reveal its new alphanumeric naming system. So far Hyundai’s were labeled with simply a unique name. Now, the names will be based on alphabet letters and numbers designating the model and most likely engine capacity.
Sister company Kia will be displaying its own cee’d wagon for the first time in full production-ready form. Significantly larger than the hatchback, the new wagon boasts up to 534L of storage, 200L up on the regular five-door. The new cee’d wagon will be built alongside the five-door and three-door versions at the Zilina plant in Slovakia, with sales to start soon after the Geneva launch.
[Source: Motor Authority]
Follow the jump for the official pre-press release.
PRESS RELEASE:
THREE WORLD PREMIERES FROM HYUNDAI AT THE 2007 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
*C-segment hatchback world premiere
*New product naming strategy to be introduced
*Advanced materials concept SUV with outstanding pedestrian safety
Hyundai Motor Company will unveil its new European C-segment hatchback at its press conference at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday 6 March 2007. Codenamed “FD”, this will be the first ever car from the Korean manufacturer designed specifically for Europe.
In developing the FD, Hyundai focused on combining cultivated dynamics with sleek, sophisticated styling, generous equipment levels and up-to-the-minute safety package. The car is due to go on sale across Europe in the summer.
With the launch of FD, Hyundai will simultaneously introduce a new alphanumerical naming strategy for all its products going forward. In the past, product names have been chosen to express the values inherent in, or associated with, each individual Hyundai model. Now, however, Hyundai is taking a more holistic approach to its vehicle nomenclature.
The new nomenclature will display a clearer technology-orientation and be closely linked to Hyundai’s brand promise of “Quality, Self-assurance, and Inspiring”. Managing Director of Hyundai Motor UK Ltd, Tony Whitehorn, said: “Geneva marks a significant turning point in the history of Hyundai, which has grown at a phenomenal rate in its relatively brief history to become the world’s sixth largest motor manufacturer.
“The launch of FD, combined with the new naming strategy, the imminent arrival of a 300,000 unit European manufacturing facility and new advanced R&D facilities and European Headquarters in Germany, signals Hyundai’s development into a mainstream European manufacturer with serious intentions to provide high quality and affordable cars designed and built specifically to European tastes.”
New Concept Offers Glimpse of the Future
As the latest example of its advanced vehicle research, Hyundai will also present a crossover-SUV concept at its Geneva press conference. Using advanced materials from its co-operation partner GE Plastics, Hyundai’s European designers have developed an SUV that is environmentally friendly and also offers outstanding results in computer-animated pedestrian safety tests.
