Seoul show: Hyundai gets sexy with Genesis tease

SAY hello to the stunning Hyundai HND-9, an aggressive, turbocharged, rear-drive performance coupe concept that hints at a model destined for Australia.

Revealed today at the Seoul motor show, the HND-9 is said to preview ‘stylistic elements’ of the next-generation Genesis coupe, which Hyundai Australia has already announced will hit local showrooms, probably in 2014.

A further sign that the world’s fastest-growing mainstream car brand is intent on moving into more desirable corners of the market, the HND-9 belies its dowdy name with its swooping lines, snub overhangs, mammoth 22-inch wheels and gullwing doors.

The wild cabin features mesh seats that vary in colour depending on the angle of the beholder, and a driver-oriented digital interface. And no, the white steering wheel hasn’t melted and warped in the sun – that design appears quite deliberate.

Despite the rather European appearance, the concept was in fact penned in Hyundai’s design centre in Namyang, Korea, rather than its similar centre in Germany.

The 3.3-litre turbo GDI engine at its heart pumps out 270kW of power, sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The HND-9 is the second eye-catching concept revealed by Hyundai this year, behind the HCD-14 four-door large sedan – widely believed to preview the next Genesis sedan.