Hyundai reveals the all new Grandeur

The all new Grandeur/Azera is the result of three and a half years of development, and which cost Hyundai about US$415 million worth of research, development and testing. The car has grown noticeably from its predecessor, which was launched in 2005, and the new Grandeur's dimensions measure 4910mm in length, 1860mm in width, and 1470mm in height. Wheelbase has also been increased by 65mm, to 2845mm.

Two petrol engines are available for the new Grandeur. The first is a 2.4-litre four-cylinder Theta II GDI which produces 198bhp and 250Nm of torque, while the other unit is a 3.0-litre V6 Lambda II GDI that churns out 266bhp and 310Nm of torque. Both engines will have six-speed automatic transmissions as standard.

The new Grandeur also comes with a whole host of safety features, 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.

The car also includes 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 plans to sell about 100,000 Grandeur saloons in its home market in 2011, but have not released details on which other markets will receive the car. The Korean carmaker however, is expected to launch the Grandeur for overseas markets by 2012.