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Hyundai HB20 R-Spec Is a Scorching Hot Hatch from Brazil

Hyundai is a car company defined by its ambition, which has recently taken it into the world of rallying with the i20. However, the Koreans also want to make their own hot hatchbacks under the "R" badge and rival those made by VW or Opel in Europe. It's not a production car yet, but the HB20 R-Spec is scorching hot today, making its global debut at the 2014 Sao Paulo Motor Show in Brazil.
Hyundai HB20 R-Spec 28 photos
Photo: Hyundai Brazil
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The R-Spec is based on a common car, the HB20 being the Brazilian market equivalent of the i20 supermini. Added to that, beefier bumpers and flared wheel arches suggest power and aggression. After that, everything is wrapped together in matte blue paint and silver accents.

At the front, the HB20 R-Spec features a new type of honeycomb grille design, encased in a hexagonal frame and flanked by redesigned headlights. Here, Hyundai designers went all-out, adding two projector units per system and LED daytime runner accents on the top and bottom. Moving down the side, we are greeted by large 17-inch wheels with carbon fiber accents and red Brembo calipers.

Things take on a familiar appearance at the rear of the vehicle, where we have twin exhaust pipes and a design bumper stolen from the Kia pro_ceee'd GT, which packs a 1.6-liter turbo making over 200 horsepower. Speaking of which, Hyundai has remained quiet about any specific performance numbers. But knowing the Brazilian market, the HB20 R-Spec will probably keep the the 1.6-liter 130 horsepower engine of the standard model.

Hyundai HB20 R-Spec serves as reference for future HB20 lineup

The South Korean car company may not have any intentions to put the R-Spec into production as you see it today. However, this concept could still play a major role by influencing the future HB20 model lineup. While its carbon fiber exterior accents are too over-the-top, the cab is doable. Here, focus has been placed on the dashboard, the seats and steering wheel with the aim of adding sportiness. The seats are especially noteworthy, featuring more side support and dark gray Alcantara leather with bands of white and blue color. The doors are also lined in leather and the gearshift is more ergonomic and functional.

Even though the HB20 R-Spec is just a concept, we're kind of envious of the Brazilians. Why do they get a supermini hot hatch if we don't?
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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