Hyundai takes the high road

For a company that initially thrived on imitating other manufacturers’ products, Hyundai is now showing a surprising talent for innovation.

Witness the HCD9 Talus coupe unveiled at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Combining rear-wheel drive and a V8 engine -- attributes that aren’t exactly synonymous with the Korean marque -- the high-riding design study is said to point to a possible SUV-cum-sportscar that may eventuate before the decade is out.

“The mission for Talus was to create a car that would excite the inner passion of customers who haven’t been able to justify parking a sportscar in their garage,” said Joel Piaskowski, chief designer at the Hyundai Design Centre.

“It’s for a person who has grown accustomed to the benefits of an SUV but craves the emotional gratification of sportscar styling and performance.”

Where a traditional coupe might risk scraping its nose on steep driveways or go weak-kneed at the prospect of negotiating potholed or rutted roads, the Talus is claimed to glide over such ‘obstacles’ thanks to its increased ground clearance. Talus also offers the versatility provided by optional 4WD for added confidence in inclement weather or slippery conditions.

Hyundai claims that Talus’s increased ride height also endows it with the towering driving position that SUV owners crave. There’s space inside for four adults, plus cargo space for “impromptu weekend getaways...” Don’t know exactly what Hyundai had in mind, but it sounds naughty.

The drivetrain combines a 4.6-litre V8 engine (with around 254kW) mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, so performance should be relatively lively, although Hyundai hasn’t released any acceleration figures.

As for the styling… It’s, er, interesting. The sporty coupe lines seem at odds with the high stance, but it seems to grow on you the more you look at it. The gaping grille might not be to everyone’s tastes, but the thing looks half-decent when viewed from the side and rear three-quarters.

The interior is finished in “rich hues of supple leather” and the rear seats fold flat to boost luggage space. There’s also a covered storage locker beneath the load floor for additional cargo space.

Other interesting features include Night Vision, ‘Shift-by-Wire’ transmission, wireless Internet and adaptive cruise control.

HCD9 TALUS SPECIFICATIONS
Configuration: Rear-drive, AWD, 2+2 sports coupe 
Wheelbase: 2800mm
Overall Length: 4667mm
Overall Height: 1578mm 
Overall Width: 1932mm
Track, f/r: 1593/1641mm
Wheels/tyres: 22-inch/P265/R40-22 
Engine/power: 4.6-litre 32-valve V8/approx 254kW
Transmission: five-speed manual transaxle 
Suspension: Independent front and rear 
Exhaust: Dual, high-performance stainless steel 
Exterior: Molten Red tri-coat metallic paint with Cinder Black ground effects.
Interior: Two-tone Sierra brown and black Chestnut leather interior with cascading metal trim