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2006 Hyundai Azera Preview

Getting Serious About Luxury

At this years Geneva Motor Show and a few weeks later at the New York International Auto Show, Hyundai revealed its all-new executive sedan, the Azera, known as the Grandeur in other markets. This isnt the first time that Hyundai has attempted to break into the luxury segment; it tried in the late 90s with the XG-series luxury sedan. The generic-looking car did little to help Hyundais prestige, however, attracting few buyers due to it being underpowered and generically bland-looking. While improvements have been made to the XG since its inception, the new Azera, inspired by popular European E-segment vehicles, should fare much better thanks to a bolder appearance and improved refinement.

Compared to the XG, which was seemingly styled after the early 90s Mercedes S-Class and previous

Hyundai revealed its all-new executive sedan, the Azera, at this years Geneva and New York (shown) auto shows. (Photo: Hyundai Motor America)

generation Acura 3.5 RL, with a little mid-90s Lincoln Continental thrown in for good measure, the Azera is a much more pleasant vehicle to look at. Hyundais stylists have carried over much of the new Sonatas look, which is evident in the cars chromed, trapezoidal grille and narrow, wedge-shaped headlamps. While coming right out and saying that Hyundais stylists seem to have blatantly plagiarized Volkswagen and Audi designs wouldnt be correct, there are strong hints of Phaeton and A6 visible in the front quarter view.

As far

As far as Hyundai sedans go, the Azera is one of the South Korean automakers more daring sedan designs. (Photo: Hyundai Motor America)

as Hyundais go, however, the Azera is one of the South Korean automakers more daring sedan designs, particularly from the rear. The cars hind flanks bulge outwards as they meet up with the coupe-like roofline to culminate in a BMW-esque separate trunk lid. LED tail lamps, which look peculiarly similar to, albeit better than the U.S.-market Accord sedan, are the finishing touches to the rear end. Overall, the Azera is a bigger car than the vehicle it replaces, with an increase of 0.8 inches in length and width, 1.2 inches in wheelbase and 2.8 inches in height. Despite this growth, Hyundai claims that the car will weigh approximately the same as the XG, at around 3,570 lbs.

The Azera should be a capable vehicle and more than able to compete with the Ford Five Hundreds and Toyota Avalons of the world. (Photo: Hyundai Motor America) align="justify">Hyundai also claims that the Azera will be a better car to drive, thanks to a major update to its chassis and suspension. Improving control and reducing body roll, pitch and dive, while retaining a comfortable ride, were the main objectives of the suspension tuning. These criteria should be met by the revamped double wishbone front suspension and all-new multi-link rear suspension. While the Azera wont be as nimble as a BMW 5-Series, for instance, or even the Mercedes E-Class, it should be a capable vehicle and more than able to compete with the Ford Five Hundreds and Toyota Avalons of the world. An electronic stability control system and ABS are standard on all models, more than can be said about the latter-mentioned Toyota.

The Azera will be offered

The Azeras interior is an environment thats completely different from any other Hyundai. (Photo: Hyundai Motor America)

with a choice of two engines, one of which is the new 3.3-liter DOHC V6 that debuted in the 2006 Sonata, which generates 233 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque in Azera tune. Aside from the Mitsubishi-developed V8 motors featured in the Centennial/Equus sedan, not sold in North America, this all-aluminum V6 is the most powerful motor to be offered in a Hyundai. Later on, a 145-horsepower 2.2-liter turbodiesel will be offered in European Grandeurs, at least, a first for a large Hyundai sedan. Both engines will be paired to a five-speed automatic gearbox with "H-Matic" manual mode, driving the front wheels.

Initial impressions of the Azeras interior show an environment thats completely different from any other Hyundai. Light colored, soft-touch plastics create an airy feel inside the vast cabin, while standard leather-trimmed seats, plus wood and metal accents further create an upscale ambience. Features such as an electro-luminescent

The Azera arrives on the scene loaded to the gills with everything but the proverbial kitchen sink. (Photo: Hyundai Motor America)

instrument panel, dual-zone climate control, and a premium Infinity sound system should help buyers to feel like theyve escalated into the same lap of luxury as Lexus, Infiniti or Acura owners. The combination of high-end appointments and solid build quality could even leave people questioning which brand of luxury car theyre driving... if it werent for the Hyundai badge on the wood-rimmed steering wheel.

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