MrFatbooty

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.

sherwood

frontends a mazda the middle is an audi and i dont know what the rearend is... but it's ok i guess

95TEGyoure it

wow once again hyundai copies Honda/Acura

i spy Acura front, Honda Accord rear.

Ochdx

front is last gen camry

MrFatbooty

I was thinkin VW Phaeton.

AcuraFanatic

Not bad.

redgoober4life

I see Buick Lacrosse in general, which isn't a horrible thing.

MrFatbooty

Slight update, this car is probably going to be sold in the USA as the TG380. Not exactly the most graceful combination of letters and numbers ever, but it makes sense what with American marketing firms' predilection for thinking alphanumeric nomenclature makes a car seem "premium."

M Type X

Lexus on the cheap ... TG380. h:

MrFatbooty

Hmm well another slight update: while Europe will get the 3.3 liter engine which makes 233 hp, we here in America are getting (as indicated by the TG380 moniker) a new 3.8 liter V6 which makes 265 hp. I wonder if this is the engine that's also going to be in the new Mitsubishi Eclipse?