JOHN HALAS wrote:After sharing a few candid drawings of the redesigned for 2017 Azera or Grandeur in Korea earlier this week, Hyundai dropped the first real-life images of their bolder and more youthful take on the mid-size sedan segment.
The Koreans say the new generation Azera “spearheads a new era” of design for the brand, and while that may hold true for Hyundai, we can’t help but notice the styling similarities with the products of its just-launched Genesis luxury marque that was spun off last year.
So much so in fact, that some have hypothesized that instead of replacing the current model, Hyundai could turn the Azera into the ‘Lexus ES’ of their Genesis brand in the States, which kind of makes sense given the decline in the non-luxury mid-size sedan category.
The new Azera not only looks more handsome and upscale than the current car on the outside, but inside too, especially in the grade featured in the release photos that boasts a partially leather cladded dashboard and door panels.
Hyundai adds that “new paint technologies and enriched materials demonstrate a high level of craftsmanship that delivers Hyundai Motor’s Modern Premium experience for a new, sophisticated demographic of premium car owners.”
Powertrain options remain a mystery for now, but we expect Hyundai to offer four-cylinder and V6 gasoline units, the former possibly in turbocharged form as well, paired to an 8-speed automatic driving the front wheels.
The 2017 Grandeur goes on sale in South Korea next month, by which time, we should know more about Hyundai’s plans for the Azera in North America.
