Hyundai Motor unveils new Grandeur image

By Jhoo Dong-chan

Hyundai Motor has unveiled an image of the all-new Grandeur sedan, which is set to be sold next month. The nation’s largest automaker’s flagship model has been fully changed after six years of design modifications.

Hyundai Motor held a media conference at The K-Hotel in Yangjae-dong, southern Seoul, Tuesday. The model is expected to officially go on sale later this year while preorders will be received from Nov. 2.

“The Grandeur has been a symbol of Hyundai Motor’s latest technologies and innovations since it was introduced to the market in 1986,” said Hyundai Motor Executive Vice President Jung Rag.

“The all-new Grandeur will once again prove Hyundai Motor’s technological innovations in new paradigms for the luxury mid-size sedan.”

The all-new Grandeur has toughened features added to its existing luxury images.

The model’s front features a new highly textured “cascading grille” with futuristically designed headlamps.

Motivated by the dynamics of melting furnace and elegance of Korean porcelain, the cascading grille is expected to be applied to other Hyundai Motor models as a new design signature, Hyundai Motor said in a press release.

The new Grandeur incorporates sleek lines that distinguish it as high-end luxury.

The model features the so-called “Hyundai Smart Sense” system, the automaker’s latest safety and convenience system that will be equipped in other models in the lineup.

The system offers the Auto Emergency Brake (AEB) that automatically slows down the vehicle when detecting a possible collision with another car. The Lane Keeping Assist System also helps prevent the vehicle from unintentionally crossing the lane.

Hyundai Motor’s other latest safety technologies, including Advanced Smart Cruise Control and Around View Monitor, are also equipped in the new Grandeur.

The model’s power train has not been announced yet, but industry observers said it will mount five different types of engines — 2.4-, 3.0- and 3.3-liter GDi as well as a 2.2-liter diesel engine and a 3.0-lliter LPi engine.

The 6-speed transmission will be equipped in the 2.4-liter GDi and 3.0-liter LPi engines while the front wheel-drive 8-speed transmission will be used with other engines.

The hybrid model will also be sold next year.