Prepare for the shape of executive things to come … the sleek Hyundai HCD7 concept car made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show last week.

The HCD7 is the product of the California-based Hyundai Design Centre, which also produced last year’s popular HCD6 open-topped roadster concept and the Santa Fe SUV.

The HCD7 is a study based on a super-executive sized car, a category above the current luxury XG30. The HCD7 is a front-wheel drive saloon with an all-aluminium DOHC 4.5-litre V8 engine, electronic traction control and automatic ride-height control.

Roger Flores, Senior Designer at the Hyundai California Design Center who penned the initial drawings for the concept, said: "The HCD7 is designed to show what the next generation of an advanced performance saloon might look like. It’s the new look of luxury."

The aerodynamic exterior of the HCD7 was inspired by an aircraft fuselage. Roger said: "This, along with the clamshell roof design provides a sleek aerodynamic package and results in less wind noise in the cabin."

Innovative features include a jewel-like headlight assembly featuring upright projector beam lamps vertically stacked. The tail lights are also vertically stacked and fitted into the bold rear bumpers.

Martin Frost, Senior Designer at the Hyundai California Design Center, and responsible for the interior design of the HCD-7, said: "Inside we carried on with the aircraft theme, creating a luxurious interior that might be found on an executive jet aircraft.

"The occupants are treated to comfort and elegance. The instrument panel is simple yet elegant – tailored after the most stylish, most readable watch faces. The door panels have been curved in a concave arc – similar to the fuselage of an executive jet to create a cocooned feeling for the driver and passengers."

To provide a feeling of even more space, there is no centre stack containing the navigation and sound system controls. Instead, there is a state-of-the-art seven-inch LCD flat screen colour monitor that pops out of the dashboard when the owner inserts the ignition card into a slot on the right side of the steering wheel.

SPECIFICATIONS

Wheelbase:
2830mm

Overall length:
4960mm

Overall width:
1848mm

Overall height:
1432mm

Engine:
All-aluminium DOHC 32-valve V8

Displacement:
4498cc

Horsepower:
270bhp @ 5,500rpm

Transmission:
Five-speed automatic with H-matic control

Wheels and Tyres:
21 x 10-inch billet aluminium wheels with 245/45 R-21 Michelin tyres

Brakes:
Four-wheel vented disc with ABS and electronic traction control

Steering:
Electric power steering

Suspension:
Double wishbone front and rear with coil springs, adaptive electro hydraulic shock absorbers with automatic ride height control and anti-roll bar