Talus is sporty but practical

Hyundai is aiming upmarket with the Talus.

Hyundai may best be known for its sensible cars, but that may be about to change.

Forget run-of-the-mill family-oriented SUVs - the HCD9 Talus, revealed at Detroit, offers sports-car looks with practical underpinnings.

It has higher ground clearance and optional four-wheel-drive for rough roads, and the high-riding view city-dwellers love so much.

Its sleek looks are emphasised by 22-inch wheels, and a 4.6-litre V8 engine for petrolheads frightened by the increase in the number of hybrids and other tree-hugging cars.

The cabin's sweeping outline is enhanced by the smooth expanse of flank; the handle release for the front and rear-hinged doors is integrated into the B-pillar to avoid visual interruption.
Korea's big H brand is aiming further upmarket, hence plentiful luxury touches - though references to pendants and necklaces for the dashboard may be taking it a tad far.

There's a necklace graphic on a retractable hood which hides the LCD monitor, air vents and clock. Control knobs suspended from the "necklace" are the pendants.

This car eschews attention-grabbing high-tech in favour of real-world features like rear DVD screens, night vision and wireless internet.

So will it go into mass production?

Hyundai NZ managing director Philip Eustace thinks not. He laughs when told Hyundai US says this car references the Santa Fe, which is being launched in New Zealand in March.

But he also points out that HCD - Hyundai California Design - cars do influence production vehicles.

He'll be hoping that's the case with the Talus.