Hyundai Motor spotlights technology and innovation at the 2002 Seoul Motor Show

Hyundai Motor Corporation has issued the following press release today:

Korea’s premier motor vehicle manufacturer Hyundai Motor Co. took center stage today at the 2002 Seoul Motor Show in the COEX Center with an exhibit of 21 cars including two forward-thinking automotive concept cars, five show cars as well as examples of five key new technologies for engines and telematics all of which perfectly captured the “Meet Another Dream on Wheels” theme of this year’s show.

Covering over 2,000 square meters of floor space, the Hyundai display was the single largest exhibit at the show generating widespread public interest with its daring vision of the automotive future and innovative technologies that promise to make driving safer, more convenient and more enjoyable.

With their daring, futuristic lines the HIC High-Technology Intelligence Coupe and HCD-7 concepts cars were the undisputed stars of the domestic-oriented show. Adopting the Tiburon/Coupe/Tuscani platform, the HIC serves as a test bed for exciting new ideas such Intelligent (Adaptive) Cruise Control, Night Vision and Around Monitoring System while the 4.5-liter V-8 equipped HCD-7, a creation of Hyundai’s California Design Studios, explores new directions in luxury sedan motoring.

Five show cars—all based on existing production platforms—provided plenty of visual excitement. For the young and young-at-heart, the company unveiled a domestic-born and bred muscle car: In this case, a Tiburon/Coupe/Tuscani Tuning Car which sports enhanced aerodynamics and a high performance tuned engine for extra oomph. Similarly, a high performance tuned edition of the Santa Fe sport utility was on display. New possibilities in marketing and co-branding were explored by the supermini Click Character Car. Exuding a playful character theme, it’s aimed at the 20s something and early 30s female buyer. The Starex Limousine is a luxurious state-of-the-art mobile office offering full interconnectivity and multimedia capability for the executive on-the-go. The 2002 Verna/Accent World Rally Car, a star on the World Rally Championship circuit, makes its first and long-awaited appearance in Korea.

Hyundai further enhances its image as a technology driven manufacturer with the display of the Santa Fe Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle, an environment friendly sport utility which is being developed in partnership with International Fuel Cells and Quantum Technologies, both of the United States. The Click Wire-Frame Car provides insights into the myriad of new technologies that are applied on today’s motor vehicles. Also on display is the newly developed Active Geometry Control Suspension, a cost-effective solution for improving ride comfort and handling on passenger cars. Hyundai’s all-new Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Technology is generating considerable excitement since its introduction on the Elantra/Lantra/Tiboron/Coupe earlier this year. Previously limited to exclusive luxury cars, this sophisticated feature is being introduced for the first time on entry level cars in a pioneering step by Hyundai. Examples of VVT application are shown on the Alpha and Beta engines.

Lastly but most importantly Hyundai lifted the curtain on a new generation of telematics technology now under joint development with IBM. Based on an open systems architecture, the Hyundai telematics solution will “revolutionize driving culture,” according to Kwon Moon-Sik, executive vice president of Hyundai’s Advanced Technology Center. Voice operated, scalable and totally secure, the Hyundai telematics portal will open the era of on-demand computing in the car enabling seamless roaming from network-to-network and device-to-device connectivity plus a range of exciting new services that will make driving safer and more convenient. The system will makes it debut in Korea in mid-2003 and will be gradually expanded to overseas markets.