Hyundai Enduro and Kia Novo, two prototypes making their debut at the Seoul Motor Show

Simultaneously with the New York show, the South Korean capital has today opened its own motor show. Although the Seoul fair features fewer and less varied novelties, dominated by those aimed at the local market, some are of interest for what will reach other regions in the medium term.

The Hyundai Motor group, the star of the event, is showing a pair of prototypes that can be classified as such. We begin with the Hyundai Enduro, a crossover concept with more rugged touches than such vehicles usually display in their production form. The brand describes it as an SUV with the off-road capabilities of an enduro motorbike, an aspiration perhaps overly optimistic.

The new version of the hexagonal grille connects with the lower edge of the bumper.The Enduro’s real interest lies in its design language. Hyundai uses it to showcase its new interpretation of the hexagonal grille featured on its models. On the prototype, it extends until merging with the lower edge of the front bumper, giving even more presence to the nose and to the grille itself, flanked by two aluminium trims that link it to the wheel arches.

In profile, besides the rear-view cameras mounted on the roof in place of the mirrors, the dark side protections stand out, the step added beneath the doors “to make it easier to load and unload items from the roof rack”, as Hyundai points out, and the slanted shape of the C-pillar that also defines the rear lights that “wrap around” the rear glass.

The cabin shows more connections to the motorcycle that gives it its name.No interior photographs are available, but Hyundai notes that it has likewise blended curves and organic lines with details that underline the Enduro’s rugged and adventurous character. The cabin in particular shows most clearly the prototype’s link to the motorcycles whose name it has inherited. The steering wheel evokes the handlebars those bikes have, and the door handles feature a engraved design of an enduro.

Another peculiarity of the Enduro is found in its boot, which has numerous drawers and compartments for organising the items to be stored. Hyundai makes no mention of the mechanicals nor of whether it plans to turn this prototype into a production vehicle.

Kia will not produce this prototype, but it promises we will see ideas from its design in its upcoming compact vehicles.Kia presents the Novo, a four-door saloon with coupé airs, with which the manufacturer seeks to rejuvenate its design language and preview the lines of its next compact models. Although the car concept does not seem as innovative as the Hyundai Enduro’s, the Novo holds an ace up its sleeve.

Its nose conveys authority and presence, as Kia has accustomed us to for some years. On the Novo, the famous “tiger nose” grille has been widened and integrates with the rest of the elements more naturally. The headlights with laser technology stand out, adding expressiveness to the whole, along with the large air intakes adorned by an eye-catching front spoiler.

The proportions of the rear look rather unattractive in relation to the size of the vehicle.In side view, the Novo’s silhouette was conceived to convey sensations similar to those of a coupé, but the result is somewhat more complicated. The front is well proportioned, with a very short overhang and shapes that help define a relatively sharp profile. However, the rest of the body has dimensions whose balance seems less fortunate.

Although this aspect is more subjective, the size of the rear wheels does not seem to bear an adequate relationship to the bulging rear of the Novo, dominated by the elongated rear lights and the wavy lines of the bumper, and in particular with the enormous rear overhang.

The interior favours minimalism, especially in the instrumentation, dashboard and centre console.Kia has indeed released images of its prototype’s cabin. Inside, the Novo proves extremely minimalist, with a clean appearance and elements intelligently arranged to gain interior space. The driver takes in all the information with barely any eye movement thanks to the holographic instrument display and the touch panel located beside the steering wheel. The latter configures the vehicle to the driver’s preferences with just a fingerprint recognition.

The dashboard screen is replaced by haptic control controls that are very simple to use and avoid increasing the dimensions of the dashboard and the centre tunnel. The Novo offers four individual seats with seatbelts built into the interior that activate by inertia. These ingredients aim to create a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Kia has fitted the Novo with the new Kappa T-GDI engine of 1.6 litres, whose output is not specified, and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox sending power to the front wheels. The prototype wears special tyres with a groove running between the contact points with the 20-inch wheels that serves to cool the rubber, expel water, reduce noise and vibrations and, ultimately, provide greater grip.

Sources | Hyundai and Kia