Hyundai rolls out 7th-generation Azera, sleek luxurious sedan

Hyundai designs of late have held many spellbound and this is evident in its latest model, the seventh generation of Grandeur or Azera,

The automaker has just unveiled the latest Grandeur sedan which is also called Azera in markets outside South Korea.
The new generation sedan sees a major styling departure from the previous-generation car, reports livemint.

The Grandeur has always been Hyundai’s flagship sedan, but this takes it to another level. The company says this new car goes all in on “refinement and sophistication.” Like most new legacy vehicles these days, it pays some homage to the generations that came before it, but with some more modern touches.

The Grandeur sedan sits above the Sonata in the automaker’s global line-up.

Exterior

The Grandeur’s front fascia looks similar to that of the Staria MPV revealed in 2021. It features a full-width LED DRL light bar and an almost full-length horizontal grille flanked by the main headlight clusters.

In profile, the sedan features a clean look, with flush door handles and minimal cuts and creases.

According to Jalopnik, an online auto journal, one of the big defining features of the new Grandeur is the “Seamless Horizon Lamp,” which is a fancy name for an LED lighstrip that runs above the “parametric jewel” grille and headlights but below the hood of the car. Hyundai says it’s inspired by the first light of dawn, which is some grade A marketing.

The company says the lightstrip accentuates the stance of the Grandeur, and I’ve gotta say I agree with them. It looks good, dawn and all.

The sides of the big sedan are extremely simple and minimalistic, which is a departure from some of Hyundai’s other vehicles.

There’s one big character line that runs just below the pillarless windows and above the flush-mounted (meh) door handles. It definitely gives the Grandeur a very strong look – like it was made out of one piece of stone. Honestly, it reminds me a lot of the new Range Rover in that aspect.

The C-pillars of the vehicle have been pulled rearward to give the Grandeur a bigger, more airy feel. It definitely works. The thing looks long. That’s good. Long cars are better. Just ask Cadillac and Rolls Royce.

Out back, the Grandeur has another lightbar that is meant to mimic the “Seamless Horizon Lamp” at the front of the vehicle.

It also gets a distinct quarter glass like the original Grandeur from 1986. The uncluttered theme continues at the rear where, like in the front, the sedan gets a full length light bar.

Interior

Like the exterior, the interior of this Hyundai sedan is a major departure from the model it replaces. It features a dual-screen on the dashboard and there is a display on the centre console to control climate settings. It also gets a three-spoke steering wheel, the design of which is inspired by the original model. It uses what Hyundai describes as ‘ecp-process’ Nappa leather, as well as anti-bacterial leather on certain touch points.

Technical details
Hyundai is yet to reveal the Grandeur’s technical details. The previous model had both, [petrol and diesel engine options, and it is likely that the new Grandeur will have multiple powertrains to choose from, including a plug-in hybrid. More details about the car’s powertrain will surface in the coming weeks, ahead of the possible global launch in early 2023. It is unlikely that Hyundai will bring the Grandeur to the Indian market.