New York: Hyundai Gull-Wing: Hybrid Blue Drive concept

The silver and brushed aluminum Hyundai Nuvis Concept is drawing eyes at the New York Auto Show if just to gape at its dual gull-wing doors, flowing floorpan and contoured seats for four - all accented in acrylic blues. It's fixatingly futuristic - right out of Hyundai's California Design Center in Irvine. The interior is replete with creature comforts and connectivity.

The exterior design brief talks about mating nature's flow with rigid surfaces, bringing to mind such natural phenomena as bow waves and drifting snow. It mostly works to graceful effect, but - if we’re honest - the venturi effect on the nose is reminiscent of an unhappy bulldog - a loveable but not so pretty pup.

Styling, though generally satisfying aside, the most important element of the Nuvis package is its parallel hybrid architecture drivetrain, dubbed Hybrid Blue Drive. Hyundai's 2.4-liter Theta II 4-cylinder gasoline engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission can power the drive wheels directly as can the 30kW electric motor, or they can both operate in tandem. Hybrid Blue Drive will be featured on the next generation Sonata bound for the U.S.

The space saver lithium polymer batteries are more durable than any current hybrid automobile battery technology, and some of the charging is accomplished by regenerative braking.

Check out our video of the unveiling of the Nuvis.