Hyundai Confirms Elantra Coupe For This Spring, New Azera By 2012

Hyundai’s product onslaught is scheduled to continue with two new or redesigned models that will be launched by January 2012. Following the recent Hyundai Veloster that made its debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai announced today at a dealer meeting in San Francisco that it plans to introduce a two-door coupe version of the Elantra this spring, as well as the redesigned Azera early next year.

No details have been disclosed about the upcoming Elantra Coupe. We expect it to carry the same 148 horsepower 1.8-liter engine, meaning we expect the highly touted 40 MPG rating to stick around as well. Following the Elantra, Hyundai plans to introduce the redesigned Azera for the North American market in January 2012. The 2012 Hyundai Azera will be powered by a direct-injected 3.3L V6 gasoline engine making 260-hp and will be more fuel-efficient than the current model.

Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai’s U.S. sales boss, said that the 2012 Azera will have the potential to sell between 18,000 to 20,000 units annually in the United States, which is a big leap from the model’s current volume.

[Source: Leftlane News]

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Hyundai Unveils New Grandeur in Korea [w/VIDEO]

NOTE: More images will be added soon.

Hyundai has been advertising the all-new generation of its Grandeur for quite some time now, but today, the automaker officially launched the large sedan in its home market. The new Grandeur, which will be badged as the 2012 Azera in the States, arrives in the Korean market six years after its predecessor’s launch in May 2005.

Codenamed HG, the 2012 Grandeur is result of three-and-a-half years and 450 billion won (about US$415 million) of research, development and testing. Positioned between the Sonata and the Genesis sedan, the new Grandeur measures 4,910mm (193.3") long, 1,860mm (73.2") wide and 1,470mm (57.9") tall. It rides on a 2,845mm-long (112") wheelbase, which is 65mm (2.6") longer than the outgoing model.


The South Korean market model is offered with a choice of two gasoline engines, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder Theta II GDI with 201-horsepower and a new 3.0-liter V6 Lambda II GDI producing 270-horsepower. Both engines are linked to a standard six-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels.

The new Grandeur comes with a host of safety systems including 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.

Other notable features include Hyundai's Advanced Smart Cruise Control, which automatically keeps a safe distance from a car ahead and provides automatic stop and restart functions in response to traffic flow, and a Smart Parking Assist System that utilizes a sensor to measure parallel parking spaces, controlling the steering wheel to semi-automatically park the car.

Hyundai said it aims to sell 100,000 units of the Grandeur this year (80,000 in the domestic market and 20,000 outside of Korea) and 120,000 units in 2012 when the car arrives in more markets.

The South Korean automaker has not yet provided details on the North American market Azera.

Along with some new photos, Hyundai also released a video showing the evolution of the Grandeur / Azera from the presentation of the first generation in 1986 to the current fifth gen model.

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2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur: Interior Officially Revealed!

In light of the car's nearing launch in its home market, Hyundai has released the first official interior shot of the all-new 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur. And in our opinion, the all-star Korean company has hit another home run out of the ballpark. Leave us your thoughts about the interior in the comments after the jump!

[Source: Hyundai]

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2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur: Official Powertrain Info Released

Hyundai has released the first official details on what will be under the hood of the all-new 2012 Azera/Grandeur, scheduled to go on sale in South Korea in January.

Korean and North American specs detailed after the jump.

The Korean-market Grandeur will be available in three powertrain configurations including an LPI (liquified petroleum injected) model. The 2.7L Mu V6 in the current Grandeur will be replaced by an all-new 3.0L GDI (gasoline direct injected) V6 engine with an output of 263 horsepower and 225 lb.ft of torque. In addition, the new Grandeur will also be available with a smaller four-cylinder 2.4L GDI engine that produces 200 horsepower and 184 lb. ft of torque. The LPI powertrain is upgraded to an all-new 3.0L unit that churns out 230 horsepower and 205 lb. ft of torque. All three engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The North American Azera will be powered by a 3.3L V6 unit with an output of 286 horsepower and 255 lb. ft of torque. Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, this powerplant is not direct-injected which gives insight to the power potential of the 3.3L V6 engine with such technology.

Hyundai also stated in its release that the new Grandeur will be the first South Korean vehicle to be available with Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC). This system not only adjusts vehicle speed to maintain consistent distance from a vehicle ahead, but also automatically engages the brakes to a full stop in response to a vehicle ahead abruptly stopping.

Hyundai will commence production of the all-new Azera/Grandeur on the 15th of December at the company's Asan plant in South Korea. Sales will begin on the 13th of January following a launch ceremony in Seoul.



[Source: Hyundai]

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2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur: First Official Images

Hyundai recently released a set of renderings that offered us a preview of the company’s future Azera/ Grandeur model, increasing the public’s interest for the saloon. Today, the company has released the first proper images of the vehicle, offering us another example of what the “Fluidic Sculpture” design language means out here in the real world.

The vehicle, which will be slotted between the Sonata and the Genesis sedans, comes with an interesting look. Ok, the vehicle doesn’t take things too far in any design direction, but we can say that it offers a visually balanced package.

The company is using a step by step approach, revealing new details about the vehicle at a rather slow pace. How does this translates for the current situation? The answer to this question is simple - the South Korean automotive producer still hasn’t offered us any details about the vehicles. Yes, no specs, no list of goodies.

We’ll remind you that the head of the company’s North American division, John Krafcik, recently offered an interview to Autonews, talking about the new Azera.

"The Azera is a front wheel drive car whereas the Genesis is rear-wheel-drive and performance-focused, so (the Azera) will have greater appeal in northern, snow-states where front wheel drive is important, but there will be a very, very strong level of differentiation between the two cars," Krafcik said.

The vehicle is expected to only come with a V6 powerplant, in order to offer a totally different package than the Sonata, which is exclusively available with four-cylinder units.




[Source: Hyundai]

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2012 Hyundai Grandeur (HG): First Official Images

Hyundai commenced a marketing blitz of the new, redesigned Grandeur for the Korean market today, ahead of its scheduled sales launch in Korea in January 2011. And as a treat, the company revealed the first official images of the car.

Hot or not? Looking too much like a Sonata? Tell us your opinion of the new Grandeur in the comments section after the jump. Continue reading to view more images (renderings).




[Source: Hyundai]

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2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur Front and Rear Unmasked!

Courtesy of our South Korean friends over at Club HG, we have our very first good look at the front and rear fascias of the upcoming 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (code-named "HG"). Posted up mere hours ago on various Korean car enthusiast forums, these revealing shots have since been taken down without notice. But, we have fortunately secured these gems of spy shots in time for our readers to see today...READ MORE

Continue reading for the full article and the rear fascia spy shot.

The front fascia of the 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur, finally unmasked for our viewing pleasures today, exudes an impression of and faint resemblance to its smaller sibling, the Sonata. We already had our glimpse of the headlight design a couple of weeks ago, but this is the first time we see the entire front design sans camouflage.

The highlight of today's round of spy shots, however, is the undisguised rear fascia of the 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur. The Sonata resemblance is considerably less in the rear than in the front. The design comes off as a sleek evolution of the current Azera, with sharper and more chiseled lines that make up the new taillight design while keeping the horizontal red-reflector strip stretching across the trunk lid found in the current model.

[Source: Club HG (Korean)]

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2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (HG): Best Rendering Yet

Remember that spy shot of the first undisguised 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur prototype we posted recently? The image generated great interest probably because it gave us our first good glimpse at the final design of the upcoming redesign.

Well thanks to a renowned amateur CGI artist from Korea, who goes by a Korean nickname of "우얄라고", we now have the closest thing to an official rendering from the folks at Hyundai themselves with this stellar rendering of the 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (HG). This clean rendering is based on the spy shot we referred to above, but we would have taken it as an official one had we not known about the original image.

We would love to hear from you about your thoughts on this rendering. Does it change your impression of the all-new Azera? Perhaps it makes the new Azera look even more similar to the Sonata. Leave us your two cents in the comments below!

[Rendered by: 우얄라고]

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2012 Hyundai Azera/HG: First Look at Interior!

Leave us your thoughts and opinions in the comments below! This picture is definitely a moot point of discussion. Stay tuned for more shots and information on the 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (HG) in the coming days.

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2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur: New Spy Shots!

[Source: AVING News Network]

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2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur: New Spy Shots!

Another day begins, and another round of new spy shots of the 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (HG) we bring you for your viewing pleasure. We do not see anything new in particular, especially after the undisguised prototype we posted earlier this week. The noticeably higher resolution of the photos, however, does give us a better look at the redesign.

We also have word from Hyundai with regards to the official launch date of the all-new 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur. According to Hankyung, Hyundai is planning to release the redesigned Grandeur to the Korean market in late November. One of the several powertrain options for the Korean-market Grandeur will be an all-new 3.0L GDI (gasoline direct-injected) V6 that is projected to produce around 270 horsepower. For the North American market, expect a larger V6 engine to be available.

[Source: jink411(압바곰): Naver]

READ MORE for over 10 more hi-res spy shots of the 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur!

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2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (HG): New Spy Shot!

Today, we received yet another very revealing spy shot of the next-generation 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (HG). This time, we get our first glimpse of the entire front fascia sans camo, and it confirms our hunch that the redesigned Azera will resemble the Sonata in many ways, at least the front for sure.

The original image we received was poorly lassoed, so we did our best to smoothen it out. If posting elsewhere, please remember to link back our website. Leave us your thoughts about this latest spy shot in the comments below.

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2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur: Front 3/4 Exposed!

We have obtained a small, but very important new spy shot of the 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (HG) today. Yes, it is really small, but what we see here is a cropped picture of an undisguised prototype of the HG, revealing its front 3/4 view sans camo for the first time.

Leave us your thoughts about the all-new 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur in the comments section after the jump.

Click here for more spy shots of the 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur!

Click here for more details of the 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur!

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2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (HG): New Spy Shots!

The next-generation Hyundai Azera/Grandeur was spotted amongst several prototypes of upcoming cars from the Korean automaker today. In these latest shots, we don't see anything particularly new from our past spy shots (in the link below). Leave us a comment after the jump about the new Azera/Grandeur!

Keep checking our website for spy shots of the other Hyundai prototypes caught today to be posted in the days to come!

Click here for our comprehensive post on the 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (HG)!

READ MORE for more spy shots of the all-new Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (HG)!

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EXCLUSIVE: Next Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (HG) Caught In Korea

UPDATE: New spy shots of the HG have been added.

We have just gotten a hold of the latest spy pictures of the next-generation Hyundai Azera/Grandeur, code-named "HG". Due to be launched later this year (though word is that unveiling might occur within a month), the new Grandeur is gearing up for a significant redesign for the 2012 model year.

As of this posting, details on the new Grandeur are relatively slim. We do know that it will share the front-drive configuration platform with the Kia K7/Cadenza sedan. Powertrain details are ballpark guesses at this point, but judging by the new Grandeur's position in the Hyundai line-up - slotting between the Sonata and the Genesis - we can definitely expect the 3.5L or 3.8L Lambda II V6 (280-300 hp) powerplants as plausible options. With Hyundai's efforts for better fuel economy, the turbocharged gasoline direct-injected (GDI) 4-cylinder found in the Sonata is also a possible candidate.

In addition to the new Azera/Grandeur, we have a lone spy photo (found after the jump) of a Hyundai prototype that we can't quite put a finger on as to what it is. The subcompact test car is a near dead-ringer of the already-unveiled 2012 Accent/Verna, yet the front fascia sporting a new design arouses questions as to what the prototype is really. Leave us your guesses as to what it might be in the comments below!

[Source: THECARBLOGGER/HGMania]

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Chicago: 2011 Hyundai Azera Facelift Debuts with New Engines

Hyundai rolled out a mildly restyled version of the Azera sedan at the Chicago Auto Show this week. We first got a taste of the changes made on the 2011 Azera back in December '09 when Hyundai launched the sedan's South Korean domestic market twin, the Grandeur, in its facelifted form.

The biggest changes to Hyundai's premium sedan are found under the hood. Both the 3.3-liter and 3.8-liter V6 engines of the 2011 Azera have been enhanced with the use of Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (DCVVT) that improves engine breathing on the intake and exhaust camshafts for better fuel economy and lower emissions. The previous versions of the V6 engines only had CVVT on the intake camshaft. Furthermore, both engines benefit from the adoption of a new six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control.

[Source: Hyundai]

Read more for the full article and more images.

The 3.3-liter V6 unit now produces an estimated 250 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 233 lbs.-ft. at 4,500 rpm of torque, up from 234 hp and 226 lb-ft in the 2010 model. With this engine, the 2011 Azera returns an estimated 20 mpg city / 29 mpg highway (2010MY: 18mpg and 26mpg respectively).

The larger 3.8-liter V6 churns out 272 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 lbs.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm, while returning 18 mpg city / 28 mpg highway. The 2010 Azera's 263HP 3.8-liter V6 returned 17mpg city and 26mpg highway.

As with the KDM Grandeur, the cosmetic tweaks on the 2011 Azera are minimal. The most noticeable exterior updates concern the reshaped front bumper, new headlamps with LED surround accent lighting, new chrome grille and round foglights.

The redesigned LED taillights and restyled bumper with integrated chrome tailpipes and a matching decklid at the back along with the revised exterior mirrors and the new designs for the alloy wheels complete the list of exterior updates.

Inside, changes are limited to a new brushed metalgrain finish applied to the gear shift indicator area, cup holder cover, ashtray cover and center console cover.

The refreshed Azera will go on sale across the nation in Spring 2010.

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