As much as we want Hyundai to produce an Alfa Romeo 4C-rivaling mid-engined sports car, we do need to remind ourselves that the Korean automaker is still fairly new to the lime light.
A decade ago they were still trying to shake off their bargain basement image, and look at them now showing us gorgeous enthusiast-fizz-inducing concepts like the PassoCorto.
Reports following the concept’s reveal were already seeing it heading for production, but apparently that’s not really going to happen…
Autocar spoke to Tony Whitehorn, Hyundai’s UK boss. “Not many people make money out of sports cars. The sports car market is shrinking dramatically, and even firms with heritage and a great product are struggling. Aside from the Audi TT and Mazda MX-5, it is a tough place to be,” the executive said.
In other words, they will be focusing on the new N performance brand to inject extra zest into the brand’s global image, but hatchbacks with a spoiler, some big rims and go-faster stripes won’t really add that much more to the brand.
So, we’re glad we got to see the PassoCorto (pictured), and we hope its styling influence hits the regular range soon, but we would really have liked to see it made. Hopefully, the project is not completely dead and it may be revived if the perceived demand for such vehicles climbs again.
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