Is The Grandmaster Hyundai’s New Three-Row Crossover?
Hyundai is finally ready to make its mark in the crossover segment. It is now filling its lineup with the new Kona, as well as updated versions of the Tucson and the Santa Fe. But aside from these models, Hyundai also introduced a possible new three-row crossover at the Busan Auto Show.
Dubbed as the “HDC-2 Grandmaster”, the concept might be a preview to Hyundai’s plan of designing a new three-row crossover. The model should slot right above the Santa Fe and will have seats available for a total for eight passengers.
The design cues of the Grandmaster are based on the Santa Fe, which was previously called the Santa Fe Sport. But don’t think that this new model would be very similar to the smaller Santa Fe. The Grandmaster will have newly designed wheels, taillights, and side windows never before seen in another Hyundai model.
The name of this new model, if the Grandmaster name will stick, is quite cool and it comes the game of chess, wherein the winner is called the grandmaster. In a statement, the South Korean automaker said that the name is indicative of the company’s plan to create a uniform vehicle line-up that would demonstrate the Hyundai look without necessarily being too similar with each other. Each model, though following a specific design cue, should still have a distinctive character and role.
From what we understand, Hyundai is planning to overhaul the design direction of the company’s fleet. The new design will affect more than just one Hyundai model. Along with the Le Fil Rouge concept car, the new Grandmaster will feature the “Sensuous Sportiness” that Hyundai wants to highlight as its new design theme. This will apply on the automaker’s future sedans and SUVs.
The Grandmaster should be available in the market by 2019.
