- Hyundai has unveiled renderings of its redesigned Grandeur premium large sedan, giving U.S. consumers a hint at what the future Hyundai Azera will look like.
- The new Azera is expected to arrive in the U.S. in fall 2011 as a 2012 model.
- A mildly freshened 2011 Azera debuted at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show.
SEOUL, South Korea — Hyundai has unveiled renderings of its redesigned Grandeur home-market premium large sedan, giving U.S. consumers a hint at what the 2012 Hyundai Azera will look like.
While the Korean automaker has provided no official confirmation, the new Azera is expected to arrive in the U.S. in fall 2011 as a 2012 model. A mildly freshened 2011 Azera debuted at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show.
The redesigned Azera gets the evolving face of the Hyundai brand and appears to borrow from the Hyundai Sonata, as well as the Hyundai Equus.
In a statement, Hyundai said the Grandeur "reflects a 'Grand Glide' concept or an image of a bird gracefully gliding across the sky." The front gets a bolder grille and the rear gets LED taillights and a wide rear bumper.
No word yet on powertrain or other technical specifications.
The Azera slots in between the Sonata and the Genesis in Hyundai's U.S. lineup.
Inside Line says: It looks like the next Azera will get an injection of sex appeal, which is good news for those who don't want to step up to the Genesis. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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kylepre25 says:
02:20 PM, 10/08/2011
@ Fortstring. a4 competitor? Really? Have you ever sat inside of an A4. They are tiny. The Azera is classified as a Large car where the Audi a4 is barely a mid-size. It would be closer to the A6 with its standard power, interior volume. Just because they are about the same price, does not make them comparable.
fortstring says:
12:51 PM, 11/19/2010
Wait, isn't Haldex a SAAB thing...?
*scratches head*
conceptvbs says:
06:35 AM, 11/19/2010
@ fortstring
Actually, your wishes just may come true.
There are rumors that the Azera might actually get Haldex AWD system.
derrell says:
06:19 AM, 11/19/2010
Looks ok, hopefully Hyundai will have ventilated SEATS, AWD,and full LED lighting inside and out, and HID headlamps...Hyundai needs an AWD sedan...
fortstring says:
09:19 PM, 11/18/2010
This looks pretty good
They ought to add an AWD variant though to match the looks
Make it something of an Audi A4 competitor? at a much lower price point (and higher reliability lol)
Meh, wishful thinking on my part *sigh*
jscion says:
05:57 PM, 11/18/2010
Hyundai is sure beating the pants off of EVERYONE lately! Their style is exceeding everyone else. Toyota and Honda are yesterdays news.
boostedbuick says:
05:51 PM, 11/18/2010
id take this over an Avalon any day. hell, id take a Sonata over an Avalon any day, especially the Turbo model. this looks like a meaner version of the Sonata. i like it =D
phoenixc says:
05:06 PM, 11/18/2010
@sebr0d1e1
Well said, it's the middle that often attracts the buyers who want more, just don't really care much about the machine like us gearheads. Still, I think it looks pretty sweet, and lately Hyundai seems able to deliver on their concept design promises.
ed124c says:
04:17 PM, 11/18/2010
I would prefer front wheel drive in a typical sedan. If it is not sporty, what is the point of rear wheel drive? Seems like it will compete directly with the Lacrosse, and other similar just-below-luxury cars.
dagmar3 says:
02:04 PM, 11/18/2010
The Azera is the poor man's Toyota Avalon. Unfortunately, it's not equipped like an Avalon (No HID headlights; no ventilated seats...), so it dies an agonizing death on the showroom floor. It's new body will make it a nice Buick alternative.