Well, this Hyundai PassoCorto sports-car concept certainly came out of left field—but we’re sure glad it did. This hot little number is, for now, purely a design exercise, a collaboration between the European Design Institute’s (IED) Torino school and Hyundai Design Center Europe. Still, all we can say is “wow.” The PassoCorto is making its big debut at the 2014 Geneva auto show, and we can’t wait to see it up close.
Although it exists so far only on paper, in a computer—”the car is in the computer”—and in 1/10th-scale model form, the PassoCorto’s hypothetical spec sheet shows serious promise. Reinforcing the notion that everything sounds better when said in Italian, the Hyundai’s name, “PassoCorto,” means “short wheelbase” in English, and the car’s key dimensions theoretically each fall within inches of Alfa Romeo’s ultra-pretty, ultra-compact 4C coupe. A real PassoCorto would also boast a mid-engine, rear-drive layout, as well as a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 266 horsepower. (The 4C uses a 237-hp, 1.7-liter turbocharged four.)
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· First Drive: 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe
· Instrumented Test: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited FWD / AWD
· Instrumented Test: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Manual / Automatic
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The project was completed by 16 IED masters of design students who were supervised by Luca Borgogno, a senior designer at Pininfarina. The car’s Italianate appearance comes from good pedigree, then, and we totally dig the strong frontal graphic, elegantly curved roof, and aggressive body creases. When Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design theme reaches its expiration date, might we suggest the automaker take cues from this? Or better yet, Hyundai, just build the damn thing. It really wouldn’t be weird, given that even Kia is exploring a sports car. Reported by Car and Driver 4 hours ago.
Although it exists so far only on paper, in a computer—”the car is in the computer”—and in 1/10th-scale model form, the PassoCorto’s hypothetical spec sheet shows serious promise. Reinforcing the notion that everything sounds better when said in Italian, the Hyundai’s name, “PassoCorto,” means “short wheelbase” in English, and the car’s key dimensions theoretically each fall within inches of Alfa Romeo’s ultra-pretty, ultra-compact 4C coupe. A real PassoCorto would also boast a mid-engine, rear-drive layout, as well as a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 266 horsepower. (The 4C uses a 237-hp, 1.7-liter turbocharged four.)
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· First Drive: 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe
· Instrumented Test: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited FWD / AWD
· Instrumented Test: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Manual / Automatic
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The project was completed by 16 IED masters of design students who were supervised by Luca Borgogno, a senior designer at Pininfarina. The car’s Italianate appearance comes from good pedigree, then, and we totally dig the strong frontal graphic, elegantly curved roof, and aggressive body creases. When Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design theme reaches its expiration date, might we suggest the automaker take cues from this? Or better yet, Hyundai, just build the damn thing. It really wouldn’t be weird, given that even Kia is exploring a sports car. Reported by Car and Driver 4 hours ago.