LA 2008: Hyundai announces production approval for HED-5 i-Mode

click for high-resolution gallery of the HED 5 i mode

The Hyundai HED-5 concept made its debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor and Americans will get their first look at the new crossover in Los Angeles. For its North American debut, the company has announced that the concept will move to production status in 2010 and it will get the first application of the new turbocharged direct injection 2.0L that also appeared in the Kia Koup in New York. The HED-5 is a six-seat CUV that borrows some of the design elements from the i-Blue fuel cell concept. Presumably the look will get toned down a bit in the two years before it appears in showrooms. The production version of the Theta Turbo GDI engine will probably also get toned down from the 286 hp output of the concept as well. The turbo GDI technology will also be applied to most other Hyundai models over the next several years.

Gallery: Geneva 2008: Hyundai HED-5 concept