The official launch of the Grandeur which is the large sedan model from Hyundai, took place only now at the maker’s home market. This after much advertisement hype had been created about this car. The car has been badged as the 2012 Azera in the US and came into the Korean market after six years since its predecessor’s launch which took place in the May of 2005.
The Grandeur which has been code named HG has taken Hyundai three and a half years of work while the monetary effort that has gone into the making of the car amounts to 450 billion won or about US $415 million in its research, development and testing phases. The car that is slotted in between the Sonata and the Genesis sedan measures 4,910mm (193.3 inches) in length, 1,860mm (73.2 inches) in width and 1,470mm (57.9 inch ) in height. The wheelbase of the car measures 2,845mm (112 inches) in length which is 65mm (2.6 inches) longer than the outgoing model.
For engine there is the option of either a 2.4 liter four cylinder Theta II GDI with 201 horsepower on tap or the new 3.0 liter V6 Lambda II GDI that is rated at 270 horsepower. Transmission mechanism in both cases is the same which is a standard six speed automatic transmission that transmits power to the front set of wheels.
The car packs a lot of safety features as inherent to it. This includes the VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), VSM (Vehicle Stability Management), TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) and ESS (Emergency Stop Signal), plus a standard nine airbag system that includes a driver’s knee airbag.
There is also the Advanced Smart Cruise Control which helps in maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and also provides for automatic stop and restart functions in response to traffic flow. There is the Smart Parking Assist System that makes use of a sensor for measuring parallel parking spaces, and thereafter controlling the steering wheel to semi-automatically park the car.
Hyundai aims at selling 100,000 units of this car this year with 80,000 in the domestic market and 20,000 outside of Korea. The company also has decided to sell 120,000 units in 2012 by making the car available in more markets worldwide.
They have however not yet indicated any plans of the North American market Azera.
Hyundai has also released some video footage of the car which depicts the stages right from its evolution to the end product.
Source: carscoop
