SPY PICS: Portico on call

These Carparazzi shots capture Hyundai's forthcoming Portico MPV crossover. The big new Hyundai is more MPV than SUV, although it is reported a hybrid version will use electric power to drive all wheels, rather than just those at the front.

Dimensionally the new Hyundai is larger than the Santa Fe SUV and has a maximum passenger carrying capacity of six people in a two plus two plus two configuration.

The Portico was first seen as a concept vehicle at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show and looked for all the world like an R-Class Benz challenger with its smooth curves and not inconsiderable bulk.

Disappointingly, but as you'd expect, the production version will lose the "suicide" rear-hinged rear-door arrangement that made the show car so novel, and easy to enter. The B-pillar-free design will be replaced by a conventional hinged-door arrangement.

Otherwise though, the general profile of the disguise-draped mule seen here looks as though it will follow generally the same smooth, pleasing shapes of the 2005 show car.

Sources indicate the Portico will build from a Sonata platform, using a front-drive V6 linked, in the conventional version, to a six-speed auto transmission. It is also believed the Portico will be built in Montgomery, Alabama.

-- with Carparazzi

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