Hyundai showed its new Grandeur sedan at the Geneva show. It will be equipped with a new 3.3 liter V6 producing 233 hp, mated to a new 5-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift feature. Hyundai is moving engine development forward and catching up with the power levels of its Japanese rivals. The Grandeur is basically Hyundai's attempt to offer a Toyota Avalon at Camry V6 prices, so with engine output at least on paper equal to the Camry SE V6 Hyundai seems to be right on track. The Grandeur's suspension is actually--and rather unexpectedly--quite sophisticated. Up front it uses double wishbones and in the rear it uses a multilink setup. Overall dimensions are up in every category, while Hyundai claims that weight has not been increased over the XG350.
With the Grandeur, Hyundai is continuing its practice of offering lots of standard equipment at each price point. Dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats, a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/55-17 tires, dual exhaust and LED taillights are all standard. So are a total of eight airbags (front, front and rear side, curtain), active head restraints, and ESP stability control.
One bit of uncertainty is whether or not the car will actually be called Grandeur in the United States. The current XG is badged as the Grandeur in some international markets, so it remains to be seen which name will be used here.
Look for the Grandeur (or maybe XG?) to hit showrooms in July, 2005.
Text copyright © 2005 Michael Atlas.