Hyundai HED-6 to Bow at Geneva

GENEVA — Hyundai Motor said its HED-6 concept, which breaks cover next month at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, was styled at its European Design headquarters in Ruesselsheim, Germany, and provides "a new look for compact SUVs."

According to European media reports, the HED-6 will morph into a new production model called the ix35, which will replace the Hyundai Tucson in Europe in late 2009. The ix35 will be assembled at the Kia plant in Zilina, Slovakia, according to Automotive News.

Among the concept's features is a 175-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter gasoline direct-injection engine that may be used in several other models.

Inside Line says: It's still not clear whether Hyundai will keep the Tucson name in North America when the new model arrives over here, probably in 2010. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent