Hyundai previews small SUV with Geneva show concept

For an idea of what Hyundai's next small SUV will look like, pay attention to the concept that debuts at the Geneva motor show next month.

We previously knew it as the HED-6, according to the recently released sketch. But Hyundai announced that it is now calling the vehicle the ix-onic (pronounced "ik-sonnik").

Penned with European consumers in mind by Hyundai's design team in Russelsheim, Germany, the ix-onic shows off a sculpted design language. The hexagonal grille first seen on the 2006 Genus concept and massaged for last year's HED-5 i-MODE Geneva concept appears again with small alterations.

Additional elements include a sleek roofline, lightly flared wheel arches, contrasting concave sills that stretch out to the rear bumper and 21-inch polished wheels. For a clean look, the polished dual exhaust pipes are integrated into the rear bumper.

Also out back, to achieve the three-dimensional appearance designers were going for, a Lexan plastic rear window was molded in place of regular glass. To reduce aerodynamic drag, vertical spoilers are used on both sides of the window.

For more visual pop, Hyundai had a high-contrast paint developed with an advanced-effect pigment to give the sheetmetal an unrivaled shine.

The five-passenger interior features an x-shaped theme throughout, magnesium accents and ice-blue trimmed seats and floor mats to carry in the exterior paint color.

Power comes from a next-generation 1.6-liter direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder with 168 hp mated to a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. A four-wheel-drive system gives the ix-onic maximum on-road stability and respectable off-road capabilities.

As for the United States, some are speculating that the ix-onic is the next Tucson.

By Jonathan Wong