Hyundai HCD10 Hellion concept

From the press photos this car looked uncomfortable, odd even. But it's clear when seeing the HCD10 Hyundai Hellion in the flesh that, whilst a "polarising design" according to Chief Designer Joel Piaskowski, it's a very appealing car that attracted a lot of positive feedback at the show. It is also a very innovative concept car design with a lot of valuable ideas.

Piaskowski told us how the design took inspiration from the original Oakley hard-shell backpack in two ways: thematically as the Hellion aims to offer the vehicular equivalent of this young minded lifestyle accessory; and literally in the way ribs appear to sit below the exterior surface and form the structure behind the A, B and C-pillars. These ribs are the foundation to the car's unique form language with the concave surfaces between appearing more like stretched fabric for a 'shrink wrapped' feel. This form language is successfully carried through to the interior also - notably in the concave-section IP.

Beyond its distinctive form language the Hellion introduces a new set of short, wide, and low Crossover proportions; some unusual DLO graphics; and some neat details - see the motorbike style separate rear lights that sit within the third side window; the camouflage patterned canvas roof and seats; and the Teflon coated two piece alloy wheels.

As an innovative, appealing and well resolved design the Hellion had no equal at LA, it is also arguably the most relevant show car here in that it offers a clear pointer for future production car typology and design aesthetic. Car of the show we think...

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Honda Remix concept

The Remix is a very small 2+2 sports coupe concept designed by Ben Davidson under Dave Marek, Chief Designer of Honda R&D Americas.

Dave explained to Car Design News that the original idea to produce a small sports coupe came from within the studio and that work on the concept started in April. Ben described to us how the concept was designed for the 'MP3 generation' and how the exterior (the design was shown as a hard model with no interior) uses a mix of form languages.

At the front the car has a new variation of the US-market Honda DRG (down road graphic) that sits directly below a very deep section clamshell hood. This hood has a near flat upper surface defined by a sharp crease line that sweeps back just below the DLO and up into the rear pillar. A hidden A-pillar allows the windshield that runs into the roof to work with the DLO as one graphic to dramatic affect. Other particularly interesting elements include a broad constant-width spine form that pushes into the rear tailgate glazing, and the centre exhaust outlet integrated into the rear diffuser.

Overall the Remix lacked harmony and resolution, although this might have been addressed had the development process run longer, and would have been less an issue had this small car been not been densely packed with innovative ideas.

Volkswagen Concept Tiguan

Making its international debut at LA is the Tiguan, a concept preview of a compact production SUV crossover due in about twelve months. Based on the Golf platform (or more specifically the European market only Golf Plus platform), the Tiguan was previewed in part by the Concept A shown in Geneva earlier this year that is much the same design forward of the A-pillar.
 
Car Design News spoke at the show with Derek Jenkins, Chief Designer at the Volkswagen California Design Center, who explained how the car was designed in Germany under Klaus Bischoff, head of the design centre in Wolfsburg.
 
The most prominent element of the car is the new 'insignia' grille which in this application has a gloss gray, U-shaped applique surround. Other interesting elements are the rounded square wheel arches (similar to the Skoda Yeti), well integrated matt gray applique on the lower flanks and bumpers, a DLO that relates to the Touareg, and a side crease running forwards from the rear lights.
 
Interestingly the VW badge at the rear does not double as a handle as it does on the Golf and Passat and the interior is carry over from the Golf Plus with the exception of the show's car distressed leather with orange highlights and stitching.
 
A logical new car for Volkswagen, particularly in Europe, but under the orange paint the Tiguan does seem rather conservative.
 
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