Hyundai have let loose their new HCD 10 Hellion concept car at the LA auto show.“The HCD10 Hyundai Hellion was designed to appeal to a diverse individualist customer,” said Joel Piaskowski, chief designer at the Hyundai Design Centre.

Performance wise the Hellion boasts Hyundai’s new eco-friendly 3.0-litre V6 Common-rail Turbo-Diesel engine (CRDi) with 450Nm of maximum torque and peak power of 176kW following. Hardly a tarmac burner, the Hellion also features a six-speed automatic transmission and 4WD system.

Hyundai boast that the Hellion is "equipped with next-generation technology including":

• ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
• Shift-by-Wire Transmission
• Wireless Internet
• Navigation
• Adaptive Cruise Control

I'd hardly call ESP (also known as Electronic Stability Control) "next generation technology", as it is increasingly becoming a standard feature on new vehicles, and indeed it should be standard! ESP has been around in Europe for over a decade, something like 90% of new cars sold in Sweden feature ESP as a standard feature, and Hyundai are claiming it as NextGen technology?? Gimme a break!!

Design wise, the Hellion looks...well... shapely, I really don't know what I think of it's look yet. Strikes me as an evil Rav4. It'll be interesting to see how this one is received.

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