Hyundai has officially unveiled its Nuvis concept car at the New York Auto Show, a gullwinged crossover-esque vehicle designed in the automaker’s Irvine, California, design studio. The Nuvis not only foreshadows the future look of Hyundai’s crossover vehicles, but also displays the company’s Blue Drive hybrid system.
The Korean automaker says the concept “hints at a possible design direction for a future-generation crossover, blending attributes of a tall urban car and a premium utility vehicle.” To Leftlane, that means it could preview – at least vaguely – a Tucson replacement.
Hyundai failed to mention what gas engine is under the hood of the Nuvis, but the concept uses the same hybrid system that will debut in a production Hyundai later this year. Hyundai’s Blue Drive hybrid system uses a proprietary lithium polymer battery — instead of a lithium-ion setup — which allows for great flexibility in the design and manufacturing processes.
Inside the Nuvis is pure concept, but does sport a few features that could make their way into Hyundai’s future product offerings. Seat covers are made from 100 percent recycled materials, with many other surfaces made from green materials. The Nuvis also uses a ‘TouchSensor’ information system, which essentially links all four passengers. The system can also be linked to the vehicle’s navigation system, relaying such information as the specials at a nearby restaurant.
The Nuvis is far from production-intent, but look for several of the concept’s features to make it into Hyundai’s lineup in the coming months.
