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Hyundai Vision G Coupe Concept debuts ahead of Pebble Beach

This is the Hyundai HCD-16 Vision G Coupe Concept, and it previews the automaker's future upmarket offerings. At an intimate gathering at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Hyundai offered us an early sneak peek of its Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance concept car, one that takes a deliberately scaled-back approach to premium, luxurious design. Peter Schreyer, Hyundai-Kia design chief, says the Vision G reflects "a DNA that balances design and performance with the idea that you don't need to be over the top in terms of glitz and stereotypical luxury cues." The coupe sends a decidedly different message than the last luxury concept that came from Hyundai's California Design center, the HCD-14. While that model was striking – albeit a little gaudy with suicide rear doors and oversized carbon-fiber wheels – the Vision G aims to be understated, despite its grand size and dramatic lines. The end result is an attractive package, with an alluring, sleek style. The HCD-16's design is characterized by a long hood, high beltline, and cabin that presents a "slingshot-like" appearance. Christopher Chapman, head of Hyundai's US design center, says the styling is meant to speak to the owner, rather than "the spectators" that might see the car on the road. Hyundai says the idea of respectful luxury carries through to the interior, where elegant lines and finishes are meant to set the mood, rather than stand out as over-the-top elegance. At the heart of the Vision G Coupe Concept is Hyundai's 5.0-liter Tau V8 – the same engine found in the Equus and Genesis – with 420 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 383 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. That said, the Vision G solely represents Hyundai's upscale inspiration moving forward. It might seem like good inspiration for a next-generation Genesis Coupe, but that isn't necessarily the case. One particularly neat feature is the "valet door," that opens when the driver approaches, as if by a valet. Perhaps this is something that could work its way into the next-generation Equus as an upscale option? The HCD-16 derives its nomenclature from the studio in which it was designed, with "HCD" being an acronym for Hyundai California Design, and the number 16 representing the 16th concept to come out of that center.

Quality issues drive resignation of Hyundai R&D president

Hyundai released a statement Monday announcing that its research and development president, Kwon Moon-sik, and two other executives resigned from their positions, Reuters reports, to "take responsibility for a series of quality issues," according to the statement.
The resignations seem to be related to recent recalls around the globe. A few weeks back, Hyundai recalled 27,500 Genesis sedans from model years 2009 to 2012 in the US for brake fluid that doesn't prevent corrosion of the electronic hydraulic control unit. The recall recently was expanded to include 43,500 Genesis sedans in the US, but nearly 150,000 are reportedly affected including the South Korean market.
"The latest personnel change shows our firm commitment to quality management and reaffirms our will to continuously improve R&D competitiveness," says Hyundai.

Hyundai's zombie obsession is just good business

In case you somehow missed it, Hyundai has enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with The Walking Dead, the critically acclaimed zombie apocalypse show that entertains the masses while they're waiting for the next season of Game of Thrones. Fans of the show will recognize Rick, Michonne, Carol, Maggie and Glenn's mint green Hyundai Tucson, a staple vehicle for the crew of survivors, but the relationship between manufacturer and show goes far beyond that. There's a whole line of Zombie Survival Machines, as well as a special-edition production model (shown above). Heck, even Hyundai's post-LA Auto Show party featured actors staggering about as startlingly realistic walkers (TWD's name for zombies).
So what is it about the dead that quickens the pulse of Hyundai's marketing department? Ward's Auto has a great interview with Steve Shannon, the brand's US vice president of marketing. In it, Shannon describes the sudden nature of the tie-in between the show and the automaker, while describing how the company's corporate overlords in South Korea saw the results of the deal. It's an interesting insight into automotive product placement, as well as Hyundai's marketing philosophy and plans for the future (spoiler alert: the Tucson, which has had a role in the show for several seasons, was seemingly abandoned at the end of season four).
Head over to Ward's and have a look.