2007 Hyundai QarmaQ Concept

If you thought “plastic” was only used as an adjective to describe the interiorsof inexpensive automobiles, or the material that toys and models are made from, be prepared for a big shock. At this year's Geneva Auto Show, Korea's largest automaker, Hyundai, unveiled a car that's mostly made from plastic. Just as Rinspeed teamed up with Bayer MaterialScience for its wild and wacky concepts, Hyundai has found a development partner for its latest concept, GE Plastics. GE supplied a plethora of highly advanced plastics that affect every last detail of the concept and believe it or not, it's the plastics that make the QarmaQ (not a typo) what it is; how it drives, how efficient it is, and how safe it is to be hit by – no joke.

What was initially to be called the HED-4, the QarmaQ is the product ofa two-door sports car crossed with an... um... crossover utility vehicle. Supposedly the styling is a hint at what the next generation Tiburon will look like, which is a good start. The front end of the QarmaQ has the same kind of angular, chunky headlamps as in the Accent hatchback,

The idea of a crossover coupe might be a bit odd, but it's nowhere near as odd as the plastics used to build it. (Photo: Hyundai)

though the wide, six-sided grille – a styling feature that's popping up on a fair number of concepts – is like the VW IROC concept, but with a spar running straight through the center. Perhaps the coolest design feature is the C-shaped side windows, which uniquely drop below the car's beltline and continue running along the floor of the interior. Hyundai says that this delivers helicopter-like visibility, but we're wondering how safe this design is. Sure as Hyundai has stressed, Lexan is strong, but without the usual array of metal beams to protect passengers, we question how well it would withhold a T-Bone impact.

Beyond the Lexan inserts in the doors, the Alpine White switches to gray, which highlights the roof and the curvature of the rear fenders. It's an unusual

GE Plastics contributed a whole lot of know-how in order to make the QarmaQ a possibility. (Photo: Hyundai)

twist on two-toned paint schemes, which usually divide the car at the window line or at the belt-line. Because the exterior and the interior bodywork are made from plastics, Hyundai and GE were able to keep the color schemes consistent. The dashboard's clean look is delivered from an extra-high gloss plastic, giving additional depth. Though leather and other more conventional materials are used in some areas of the interior, the seat inserts are made of high-tech silicone that's been treated with a special topcoat that reportedly gives it the feel of nubuck or leather. Matching the roof and fenders for color coordination, these inserts are teal.

The use of Lexan plastics throughout the vehicle shaved the curb weight of the car by 63 lbs, and the overall use of plastics makes the car 132 lbs lighter.

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