Hyundai confirms plans for Portico crossover and four new models
Winding Road recently attended a media event Hyundai threw and came away with some good information. While the shindig was designed to let journos drive some of the automaker's newest models like the updated Tiburon, a Hyundai executive confirmed to the gathered scribes that the automaker is busy working on a production version of its 2005 Portico concept. In concept guise, the
The Portico will be one of five new vehicles Hyundai will bring to market by 2010 as it further solidifies its US lineup. Hopefully, that's it with the crossovers/CUVs, though. Between this, the Veracruz, and the Santa Fe, they've got that segment pretty much covered, along with the Entourage to grab the remaining minivan people. Let's see some compelling new cars that continue to move the chains downfield in terms of style and quality.
[Source: Winding Road]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
fizzandpop 2:14PM (10/25/2006)
Portico—a structure consisting of a roof supported by columns or piers, usually attached to a building as a porch.
What's next, the Ford Gazebo? The Pontiac Buttress? The Volkswagon Mansard?
Or is Portico a place somewhere, like all their other names? Does anyone live in Portico? What's it like?
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David F 2:39PM (10/25/2006)
Portico is Korean for hire an English major.
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Richard Warren 7:39PM (10/25/2006)
Cool grille.
We're proud to announce: The new Hyundai Basment! The perfect car for you in the Tornado and Hurricane belt! When your portico, gazebo, mansard roof and flying buttress actually fly away you can escape to the safety and comfort of your new Hyundai Basment.
Special color packages:
Lightning yellow, Storm cloud grey, Tornado black, Dust cloud brown,, Light Waterspout blue metallic.
So, fly on down to your local Hyundai dealer, see the ultimate in safety. That's right, the Hyundai Basement!
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FrankTheCrank 3:38PM (10/25/2006)
ZOOM-ZOOM!!
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Randal P. Coletrain 4:08PM (10/25/2006)
There is a Port-a-potty business named PortaCo. I could see it now..."What kind of CUV is that?"..."Oh it's a Hyundai Toilet" which wouldn't be far off from the truth :P
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Hamud 3:55PM (10/25/2006)
Is that supposed to run or fly???
Didn't like that Camry grille.
Anyway, I liked the overall design. But I wouldn't be surprised if two wings comes out and it starts to fly.
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Corey W. 3:56PM (10/25/2006)
Atleast it doesn't look like the rest of the cookie cutter crossovers. Nice design....
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D Man 3:57PM (10/25/2006)
Rip off of Ford Edge which is a rip off of Mazda CX-7 which rips off Nissan Murano. Aren't there any innovative design out there?
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Jay 4:26PM (10/25/2006)
As far as the Entourage goes, before it was released, Hyundai originally wanted a people mover that wasn't just a rebadged Kia Sedona and had shelved the Entourage until the last moment as they didn't have anything else ready when they wanted it, so they went ahead with a rebadged Sedona.
For that reason, I expect that when the Portico comes out, they'll drop the Entourage, or rename the Portico to Entourage. So hopefully they won't have too many CUV/SUV offerings when it bows.
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JW 5:02PM (10/25/2006)
Looks very interesting. I like that grille insert. Does Hyundai really need more vehicles? Just add the Veracruz and update the Tiburon, I think this is the problem with automakers nowadays, they try to cover every segment, and spend millions of money on just one vehicle not knowing if it will sell or not. Look at Pontiac and the Aztek, or Chevy and the SSR. Or they kill perfectly selling cars like the Dodge Neon, the S-10 IMHO is a lot better than the Colorado, then theres the Camaro (even though it is coming back)and Firebird. They should just try to improve what they have and get over the stupid idea of SUVs with car platforms and just keep everything up to date instead of focusing on one niche at a time (CUVs seem to be the latest craze).
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$0.02 5:05PM (10/25/2006)
Autoblog gave us the micro-condensed version. Here is the big news from Winding Road and Jalopnik today. There are 4 to 6 new models coming to propel Hyundai and Kia to 1.5 million cars a year by 2010. These do not include the Veracruz. Here is what appears to be in the pipeline:
- Hyundai will release a rwd sports coupe in 2010 (insiders are calling it the Tuscani) as they enter F1 and Korea hosts the Grand Prix. This is big news.
- A truck is in the product pipeline and will use existing Veracruz/Santa Fe/Entourage platforms. Truck trend has published an article on it this month.
- The BH rwd 'poor mans Bimmer' is no secret.
- A version above the BH to rival a 7-series and Lexus LS
- The six seater Portico
-Hyundai's first hybrid in the form of an Accen/Rio was delayed for this year as their Chair faced some troubles at home. This should hit any time.
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JON 6:41PM (10/25/2006)
How do you make a minivan cool?It just can't be done.You try to call it a crossover or give it some kind of unminivanlike design but it's still a minivan!I know it's gonna happen one day.I'll get married with kids and there'll be this great deal on a minivan and,and,and...NOOOO!
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Wow 9:37PM (10/25/2006)
No wonder I quit coming here, all the childish remarks w/o any substance to back up the attacks.
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/dc2006/02.shtml
This IS substance, Boys!
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Bob 11:23PM (10/25/2006)
D Man, you're aware that the Portico concept is almost 2 years old, right? But you say it's a ripoff of the Ford Edge, yeah, that makes a lot of sense. And the CX-7 and Murano have absolutely nothing in common.
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In disbelief 3:27AM (10/26/2006)
Wow, keep em coming Hyundai, you're doing a fabulous job. I LOVE my 2007 Santa Fe. What a car for the price.
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fizzanpop 4:34AM (10/26/2006)
#12: Funny shit. We can totally sell that to Hyundai. Set up a meeting. Have their people call our people. Just add a line about prices hitting the floor..., scratch that, leave it as it is, I smell a pencil!
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leo 1:11PM (10/26/2006)
that's a nice minivan design. Hyundai shold hit the minivan target with this not the CUV
as a minivan it looks better than most
as a CV that front end needs to be redisigned
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wtf? 5:12PM (10/26/2006)
Man,
and all the other dumbasses who write without knowing wtf they are talking about,
PLEASE PLAESE I BEG YOU,
IF YOU DUNNO WHAT YOU ARE TALING ABOUT, PLEASE SHUT UP.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO COPY OTHER PPL WHO SAY HYUNDAI IS A CLONE OF THIS OR THAT B/C We already have too many of those 2.
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Jan 3:00PM (10/30/2006)
I don't know about any of the other Hyundai's but I bought an 05 XG350 in Nov. of 05 and I've got to say that car hauls ass!!! I'm a 51 yr. old woman and I enjoy the hell out of out running those fancy SUV's and pickup trucks. I have 19,000 miles on it and already need new tires. You have to drive it to believe it. I live out in the country so I have alot of open road to drive to get to work. I usually cruise about 80 mph most of the way there. The car handles like a dream. This is our 1st Hyundai but it won't be our last.
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