Hyundai Portico spied

Today we've got new photos of the Hyundai with most of the heavy camouflage removed! First shown as a 2005 Portico concept in Chicago, Hyundai is hoping their R-Class-like crossover will pick up the pieces where Mercedes and Chrysler’s Pacifica failed.

Flexible seating for the Portico means two rows of seating for 4 or 6 depending if the center seat is folded down or upright. With six passengers in two rows - the Portico will offer more cargo area than similarly sized vehicles.

Hyundai's Lambda 3.3-liter V6 is expected to be rated at around 240hp. In 3.8-liter form 290hp should provide ample motivation for the top of the Portico trim range. Hyundai's new 6-speed shiftronic transmission will route the power to a FWD or AWD setup. Hybrid and 4-cylinder powerplants are unknown despite earlier reports. While the Portico was slated to be built in Alabama, production has now shifted to Korea and will start in the 3rd quarter of 2009.

© Source: worldcarfans
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2010 Hyundai Portico – Spied

Hyundai may already have three SUVs in its lineup, but that's not stopping it from developing yet another. The 2010 Hyundai Portico, spotted here testing in Death Valley, will slot in below the Veracruz in terms of size, and just above the Santa Fe in terms of price.

Now, the Santa Fe isn't much of an off-roader, but the Portico will take the crossover idea one step further. Built on the same front-wheel-drive platform as the Santa Fe, the Portico will have a sportier calibration that's intended to make it feel more like a tall sedan than a compact SUV.

For instance, notice the wheels and tires on these prototypes. Compared to the Santa Fe, the Portico's setup uses what look like larger wheels and lower-profile tires. The overall roof line of the Portico is lower as well, another difference that should improve its handling compared to the Santa Fe.

Straight-line performance should be solid, as the 2010 Hyundai Portico will most likely stick with V6s in a bid to position it slightly above the Santa Fe. Expect to see the same 3.3-liter V6 found in the Sonata as the base engine for the Portico, while Hyundai's larger 3.8-liter V6 will be offered on higher trim levels. Expect to see all-wheel drive as an option, too.

Unlike many other crossovers in the category, the Portico will only feature seating for five. Hyundai figures that buyers who really need the extra room will upgrade to the Veracruz, so the Portico can concentrate on making the best of the room it has. Hyundai even toyed with the idea of sliding doors on the concept, but judging by these prototypes, it decided to stick with a more traditional setup for the production model.

Sales of the 2010 Hyundai Portico should start by the fall of 2009, so look for an official unveil early next year.

© Source: edmunds
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2010 Hyundai Portico – Spied

We expect to see Hyundai’s 3.3-liter and 3.8-liter V-6s, and perhaps a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The vehicle will be available with front- or all-wheel drive.

The Portico could have been a candidate for Hyundai's proposed luxury brand, had the automaker not shelved the idea of a separate sales channel. Read here for the full story behind this decision.

The crossover likely will begin assembly in Korea in the fall of 2009 for sale as a 2010 model. It is one of seven new vehicles the automaker is introducing over the next two years as part of a product onslaught it dubs 24/7 Version 2.0. The first 24/7 program oversaw the launch of seven new vehicles in a 24-month period beginning in 2004.

What remains to be seen is whether Hyundai uses this two-row, six-passenger crossover to replace the Entourage minivan in its lineup.

The Entourage is the only real example of badge engineering with sister company Kia—in this case it is an engineering clone of the Kia Sedona. But while Kia has sold more than 18,000 Sedonas in the first seven months of this year, Hyundai has only sold 3500 Entourages, according to data from Ward’s Automotive Reports.

© Source: caranddriver
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2010 Hyundai Portico 6-seater spied

One of our many spy photographers recently arrived at this top-secret testing area at 3am in the morning, he told us his aim was to get some sleep till around 7am and wait for the cars to show up, but instead, he caught the very first pictures of Hyundai’s all-new 2010 6-passenger Portico crossover.

First shown as a 2005 concept in Chicago, Hyundai is hoping its R-Class-like crossover will fill all the niches where Mercedes and Chrysler’s Pacifica failed. Flexible seating for the Portico means two rows of seating with seating for 4 or 6 – depending if the centre seat is folded down or upright.

With six passengers in two rows - the Portico will offer more cargo area than similarly sized vehicles. The Portico is expected to be offered with a V6, as well as with a hybrid powertrain, and will be built in Alabama.

Hyundai Australia has not announced any plans to bring the Portico here, however depending on its success in the United States, there is a possibility of this six-seater making its way to our side of the world.

© Source: caradvice
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