These are the official Hyundai pictures of the new HCD9 Talus concept. Intended to look sportier then the Touareg/Cayenne flavor of SUV, the Talus is certainly striking.

“The exterior design is very assertive and conveys confidence,” said Eric Stoddard, senior creative designer. “It says Talus can do what it wants to; it opens your boundaries from a sports car perspective.”

The powerful curves and surface detail of Talus come from the same underlying inspiration that guided the all-new Santa Fe. Talus shares a similar assertive expression in its front grille, headlamps and bodyside feature lines with its cousin, the 2007 Santa Fe. The hood forms are confident, emphasizing an extremely powerful V8 engine underneath.

An arcing roofline and tapering greenhouse highlight the exterior profile and emphasize the car’s broad shoulders and wide sporty stance. Talus sits on 22-inch polished aluminum deep-dish wheels.

Access into Talus’ richly appointed cabin is made easier through its pillarless aperture supported by front-hinged doors and rear-hinged jump doors. The solenoid door release is integrated into the B-pillar allowing for a sculpturally clean bodyside.
the jump.

HYUNDAI
REVEALS INNOVATIVE HCD9 TALUS CONCEPT
   
DETROIT, Mich., January 8, 2006 – Hyundai
Motor America today revealed the innovative HCD9 Talus, a 2 2 concept that previews the future of the sports car
segment.  Designed at the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, Calif., Talus made its world debut at the North
American International Auto Show.

       “The mission for Talus was to
create a vehicle that would excite the inner passion of customers who haven’t been able to justify parking a
sports car in their garage,” said Joel Piaskowski, chief designer at the Hyundai Design Center. “It’s
for a person who has grown accustomed to the needs and benefits of an SUV, but desires the emotional gratification of
sports car styling and performance.”

CAPABILITY  
      
Unlike a traditional sporty coupe, Talus can traverse steep driveways, potholes or two-track access roads thanks to its
increased ground clearance. Talus also offers the performance of optional 4WD to assist in applying horsepower to the
pavement or for added confidence in inclement weather.  The increased ride height also improves visibility, giving
the driver the ability to see and anticipate the road ahead.  Talus includes interior room for four adults, plus
cargo space for that impromptu weekend getaway.  More space, ease of access and the benefits of a commanding ride
height are unique advantages Talus brings to the sporty car market. 

       A sophisticated 4.6-liter V8 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission
delivers power to fit the demands of performance-oriented consumers.

EXTERIOR DESIGN  
       “The exterior design is very assertive and conveys confidence,” said
Eric Stoddard, senior creative designer. “It says Talus can do what it wants to; it opens your boundaries from a
sports car perspective.”
  
       The powerful curves and
surface detail of Talus come from the same underlying inspiration that guided the all-new Santa Fe.  Talus shares
a similar assertive expression in its front grille, headlamps and bodyside feature lines with its cousin, the
2007       Santa Fe.  The hood forms are confident, emphasizing an extremely
powerful V8 engine underneath.     

       An arcing
roofline and tapering greenhouse highlight the exterior profile and emphasize the car’s broad shoulders and wide
sporty stance.  Talus sits on 22-inch polished aluminum deep-dish wheels. 

       Access into Talus’ richly appointed cabin is made easier through its
pillarless aperture supported by front-hinged doors and rear-hinged jump doors.  The solenoid door release is
integrated into the B-pillar allowing for a sculpturally clean bodyside.
    
       There is a balance between passion and functionality at the rear of the
vehicle.  The undulating beltline adds intrigue while enhancing outward visibility for both the rear passengers
and driver.  A power clamshell hatch opens to a spacious cargo area and allows easy access from the rear and sides
of the vehicle.  The dual exhaust tips are integrated into the rear fascia repeating the design theme of the fog
lights up front.   
        The exterior is finished in Molten
Red metallic paint, selected as a refined evolution of bright red typically associated with sports cars.  The body
color is complemented with Cinder Black ground effects.

INTERIOR DESIGN
       The HCD9 Talus concept is captivating and luxurious on the inside while
providing great passenger and cargo versatility. The cascading metallic trim on the center console invites you to enter
the Talus and explore the details and craftsmanship that were exclusively tailored into the interior.  Blue LED
lighting adds a harmonious ambience throughout the interior day or night.

       “Sitting behind the wheel of the Talus will make you feel privileged and
empowered by the luxurious appointments and higher seating position,” said Dragan Vukadinovic, senior creative
designer.  “We wanted to push the expectations of the sports car interior by injecting as many luxury cues
as possible.  The center console was designed to be visually alluring while providing all the practical functions
a driver expects.”            

       The center stack was designed to look like a jeweled pendant hanging from a
necklace.  The necklace graphic defines a retractable hood that opens to expose a 10-inch LCD monitor, air vents
and a clock capable of displaying time in three different time zones.  Two control knobs that appear to be
suspended from the necklace represent the jeweled pendant.  Dual zone climate controls flank the tapering center
console.  Secondary audio controls are dedicated to the rear passengers to enjoy watching individual nine-inch DVD
monitors mounted in the rear of the front seats.   

       The
interior is finished in rich hues of supple leather.  The palette consisting of Sierra Brown and Black Chestnut
was selected to evoke the warm affluence of a western lodge, while the accented metallic finishes maintain a fresh
technological outlook toward the future. The rear seats fold flat and there is a covered storage locker beneath the
typical load floor for additional cargo space.

TECHNOLOGY
Talus is equipped with next-generation
technology including:

* Electronic Stability Control
* Night Vision 
* Shift-by-Wire
Transmission
* Wireless Internet
* Adaptive Cruise Control

HCD9 TALUS SPECIFICATIONS

Configuration:
Rear-drive, 2 2 sports coupe
Wheelbase:
2800 mm. (110.2 in.)
Overall Length:


4667 mm. (183.7 in.)
Overall Height:
1578 mm. (62.1 in.)
Overall Width:
1932 mm. (76.1
in.)
Track, f/r:
1592.6 mm. (62.7 in.) / 1640.8 mm. (64.6 in.)
Wheels:
22-in. polished aluminum
deep-dish split 5-spoke wheels
Tires:
P265/R40-22
Engine:
4.6-liter 32-valve V8 engine producing
an estimated 340 horsepower
Transmission:
6-speed automatic 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
Special Features:
Blue ambient LED pipe interior lighting