Thursday 27th February 2014

Hyundai Intrado for Geneva

Carbon tub and hydrogen fuel cell for Hyundai's latest SUV concept

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What with the minor facelifts and European debuts dominating at Geneva, there aren't many never-before-seen concepts primed and ready. Well at least that we know of.

Carbon tub, hyrdogen power... steel panels?

This is the Hyundai Intrado, a hydrogen powered SUV made with lightweight materials influenced by aircraft. Indeed, 'Intrado' is the name for the underside of an aeroplane wing with Hyundai claiming that the concept's 'purity of purpose' is also in keeping with the aero theme.

But what does that actually mean? It's essentially making it as efficient as possible, with a carbon structure that uses 'patent-pending manufacturing techniques that together have the potential to change the way cars are made'. Hyundai claims it saves enough weight for steel body panels to be used combining the strength and lightness of carbon with the crash performance and repair times of steel. Driving dynamics and efficiency should of course be improved by reduced mass as well.

Every opening panel shuts directly onto the frame to further show off the carbon inside, a deliberate tactic of the 'Beaufort Orange' upholstery too.

The Intrado uses a hydrogen fuel cell with a lithium-ion 36 kWh battery and a promised range of 600 miles emitting only water vapour.

[dukebox9reg]

I'm assuming this is hinting at the next IX35. I like it

[bobbylondonuk]

What! Koreans using modern technology with cheap maintenance costs? The car manufacturing game just went up a notch.

[RoverP6B]

Interesting, a concept car where the "it'll-never-make-production" frippery is actually under-the-skin engineering, not styling. I'll believe it when I see it and not before.

[kambites]

Looks nice back to the C-pillar. Behind that it's nearly as ugly as the X6.

I don't really see any value in hydrogen powered vehicles with technology as it is or is likely to be in the near future, though.

[Ocellia]

Can I have the place it's parked in? especially if it's in Andalucia!

[disco666]

Sorry to interrupt, as you were.
I thought I was on Pistonheads, I appear to have landed on Towmycaravan.com