Motor lovers have waited a long time for this event: the Seoul Motor Show 2015. The event is being held until April 12 at KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, showcasing around 370 models from 32 carmakers around the globe.

Under the theme of “Experience the technology, feel the artistry,” global brands are showing off their best and latest darlings. Some cars reflect where the brands will be heading through their concept cars, while others flaunt their high-end products. According to the event’s organizers, 122,791 people visited the show on Friday and Saturday.

Visitors are able to look at, touch and feel the cars on display. For instance, Hyundai Motor has installed a mini circuit around its booth for people to experience the company’s latest Sonata plug-in hybrid electric car, while Porsche facilitated a racing simulator for people to enjoy. 

K-pop concerts, experience zones and several indoor and outdoor events also greet motor enthusiasts and would-be motorists.

Here are some brief descriptions about some of the cars on display, forecasting the future of the Korean market.


Concept cars

They may or may not be mass-produced for the public, but concept cars are important for carmakers because they show off what the brand’s technology and design philosophy has to offer.

The Italian super luxury brand Maserati’s Alfieri flaunted a maximum of 460 horsepower and 53 kilogram meter, with a liquid metal color on the body for a mysterious ambience.

Meanwhile, BMW MINI teamed up with Italian luxury brand Superleggera for a retro-style, state-of-the-art technology. Ssangyong and Renault Samsung took more of a practical approach and presented sports utility vehicles, while Lexus’ Hybrid Zero line featured a sleek blue-bodied LF-LC.


Green cars

Sonata’s first plug-in hybrid electric model won the spotlight. The car reflects Hyundai Motor’s zeal to produce 22 eco-friendly cars by 2020.

Also presented is the Detroit Electric SP01. The brand, revived in 2008 after a 69-year hiatus, is yet to be sold in Korea, but displayed its latest model SP01 to test the waters.

GM Korea’s Chevrolet brand released its first electric vehicle Spark EV, while Porsche brought its latest Cayenne S E-Hybrid. Toyota and Lexus, who are the trendsetters of hybrid vehicles, presented a legion of their existing and latest models that best reflect the company’s “Waku Doki (adrenaline rush)” spirit.


Superluxury cars

The motor show is also about presenting “dream cars,” and ultra-luxury brands have brought their best products to strike a chord with potential clients.

Bentley’s Mulsanne is the most expensive car at the show with a price tag starting at 484 million won. The car is famous for making customers wait a year after placing their orders due to its bespoke and hand-made production process.

Maybach, better known in Korea as Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee’s favorite brand, also brought its S-Class after being acquired by the Mercedes-Benz group. Mercedes-Benz had its New Mercedes-AMG GT at the show, a sports car with fashionable proportion. Maserati also showed off its Quattroporte, with a new 350 horsepower-engine, and five other models.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)