SEOUL MOTOR SHOW: Hyundai Enduro concept

Korea's number one car brand was the star of Korea's number one motor show when it opened in Seoul today.

Hyundai hit the show-goers hard with this all-new three-door 'Enduro' crossover concept, plus an evolution of its mid-engined sports-coupe direction (see separate story), the new Tucson SUV and production versions of its latest plug-in hybrid technology via the new Sonata sedan.

Making its world debut and dubbed the HND-12 Enduro (to give its complete label), the new concept wears the label 'Urban Crossover Utility Vehicle'. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine driving through Hyundai-Kia's new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission,, the all-wheel drive coupe is said to be "The Professional Gear for drivers wanting to escape the ordinary!"

The name is derived from 'endurance' and Hyundai's designers claim the vehicle blends SUV design with aspects of Dakar-style rally-raid motorcycles.

"The Enduro is designed as the perfect partner for individuals living in the modern city with energetic, athletic lifestyles. By combining robust forms with bold styling, Enduro releases a sense of adventure and freedom for driver and passengers," the PR bumph reads.

Details of the vehicle are scant. Its shape does, however, point to the potential of Hyundai offering a sportier range of SUV 'coupes' to sell alongside its mainstream five-doors.

The Enduro's design makes use of front and rear aluminium 'aero blades' to ostensibly help control airflow around the coupe-style high-riding vehicle. SUV-style cladding and side-skirts are featured, the latter incorporating "step bars for easier loading/unloading of the roof rack," says Hyundai.

At 4271mm overall, the vehicle is around 200mm shorter than the new-generation Tucson but rides on an almost identical wheelbase. Equally, the concept matches the production car for width but is almost 200mm lower.

Inside the Enduro's four-seat cabin there are more bike styling cues.

"Visual elements reminiscent of sports equipment are applied to those cabin components and surfaces which occupants touch. The steering wheel design features the spoke and handle moulding of a road bike and the door handles have a lightweight cowl image of an off-road bike. The design of the trunk [luggage area] turns it into a durable, flexible space, with versatile drawer-style compartments that can safely accommodate a broad range of lifestyle sports equipment," Hyundai claims.

Much closer to a start in local showrooms was the Sonata PHEV displayed at Seoul.

Hyundai's first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the Sonata PHEV features a 9.8kWh lithium-polymer battery pack with around six times the capacity of the conventional Sonata Hybrid. Hyundai claims this should deliver a class-leading all-electric range of 24 miles (approx 38km).

The Sonata PHEV couples a 2.0-litre petrol engine with Hyundai’s Transmission-Mounted Electrical Device (TMED) -- a 50 kW electric motor, in place of the automatic transmission's torque converter.

Total combined powertrain output is around 150kW at 6000rpm. The PHEV can be recharged in three hours from a 240-volt charging station, says the company, which has no plans to introduce a hybrid version of the new Sonata launched here in February.

Hyundai's new Tucson, which was revealed with both mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains at last month's Geneva show, hits local showrooms in July.