First look: Hyundai goes Portico

HYUNDAI has continued its new model offensive by presenting a people-mover concept, dubbed Portico, at last month's Chicago motor show.

Following last year’s Chicago release of the Tucson compact SUV (released in Australia last year), the reveal of a new Sonata sedan (due here in June) and the pre-reveal of Hyundai-owned Kia’s next generation Carnival, Portico previews the South Korean giant’s all-new Trajet seven-seater.

Portico measures 5000mm long and 2000mm wide and rides on a 3070mm wheelbase.

Along with the concept’s new Lambda DOHC V6, mated to a six-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission scheduled to appear in production Hyundais, Portico is designed to accept Hyundai’s hybrid drive system.

This configuration features two electric motors, with a 110kW unit driving the front wheels and a 60kW version driving the rear wheels to provide all-wheel-drive capability.

"The Portico is an example of the new market segments Hyundai is exploring - in this case, the next generation of family transportation," said Hyundai's vice-president of product development and strategic planning, John Krafcik.

"Portico features seating for six passengers and roomy, flexible cargo space - previewing the types of attributes we'll be adding to our growing Hyundai line-up in the US.

"We'll have two all-new Hyundai models with seating for seven and roomy, flexible cargo space within the next year or so - all part of the 24/7 new model launch cadence we started with the Hyundai Tucson last fall."