Hyundai gives the Azera a facelift

The facelifted Hyundai Azera was unveiled at the Chicago Motor Show, with only minor changes to the cosmetics. Most of the changes have been under the hood, with the Azera getting a set of revised V6 engines.

Both the 3.3-litre and 3.8-litre V6 engines 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. ious versions of the V6 engines only had CVVT on the intake camshaft.

The 3.3-litre V6 unit now produces 250bhp and 316Nm of torque, up from 234hp and 306Nm previously. The 3.8-litre V6 meanwhile has 272bhp and 355Nm of torque, an increase from the 263bhp from the old engine. The Azera also gets a new six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control.

Cosmetic changes have been kept to a minimum, with the reshaped front bumper, new headlamps with LED surround accent lighting, new chrome grille and round fog lights the main changes at the front. At the rear, there are redesigned LED taillights and a restyled bumper with integrated chrome tailpipes and a matching boot lid to go along with the revised exterior mirrors and new alloy wheels. The interior of the Azera gets a new brushed metal grain finish applied to the gear shift indicator area, cup holder cover, ashtray cover and centre console cover.