Getting Handle on it: Several weeks ago,...

Getting Handle on it: Several weeks ago, a sketch appeared here of the new Hyundai HCD III concept car penned by the company’s Fountain Valley-based U.S. design team.

Officials at Hyundai Motor America Inc. wouldn’t reveal much about the car, which is small and has lots of curves and a pair of protuberances behind the cockpit that resemble a pair of handles.

The working full-sized model was rolled out Saturday at the Detroit Auto Show, and, sure enough, they are handles. The HCD III is the designers’ concept of a combination sporty car-sport utility vehicle with a canvas top that can be removed or fastened to configure the vehicle either as a fastback or a two-seat coupe with an open rear.

The handles (Hyundai calls them grab rails) are to help people in and out of the rear seats.