August 29, 2005

Hyundai drops minivan plans, adds crossover and SUV

Hyundai Portico concept. Click image to enlarge

Markham, Ontario - Hyundai Auto Canada has announced plans for two all-new vehicles with six- and seven-passenger seating configurations; one will be a crossover minivan similar to its Portico concept vehicle, the other a seven-passenger unibody SUV. These will be launched in place of the traditional minivan Hyundai had previously announced.

The SUV will seat seven adults in a package about the same size as the current Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer, and will enter production in the fourth quarter of 2006. It will use a 3.8-litre V6 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, and include such safety features as electronic stability control and side curtain airbags.

The crossover minivan, scheduled for launch approximately 24 months after the new SUV, will feature a unique seating configuration with passenger/cargo flexibility.

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