Spy Shots: Next-gen Hyundai Azera caught in Europe

[Sal Collaziano]

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Hyundai

2012 Hyundai Azera - Click above for high-res image gallery​

The current Hyundai Azera is not a bad looking car, but compared to the glut of new models that already are or will soon be populating Hyundai showrooms in the next year, it's starting to look long in the tooth. Hyundai appears to be on the case, as an all-new Azera has just been spotted testing in Europe. Like the current sedan, the new model will slot in between the front-wheel-drive Sonata and rear-wheel-drive Genesis. It will also feature Hyundai's new "fluid sculpture" design language, as evidenced by the characteristic rising crease along the doors that's visible through the camouflage.

The grille and mirrors of this camo'd Azera, which is called the Grandeur in its home market of South Korea, look similar to the new Sonata, but the lower edge of the side glass rises at the back giving the car a more pronounced shoulder. Power is expected to come solely from a V6 like the current model, but we'd be surprised if its displacement doesn't drop to the 3.0-3.3-liter range with direct injection and possibly a turbocharged version. Given CEO John Krafcik's commitment to 50 mpg by 2025, a version of the new hybrid system seen in the Sonata Hybrid seems like a smart bet as well.


Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Azera / Grandeur



[Source: Carpix]Spy Shots: Next-gen Hyundai Azera caught in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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[STREETS]

Same fluidity look as Sonata

 

[tjc78]

I agree it does share a little of the new Sonata. What I wonder is why do they need this car? The have the mid-size Sonata, and they have the Gen and soon be Equus. Why do they need another large sedan? It will certainly compete with the Avalon, Max, LaCrosse, and Taurus, however, I believe the Genesis already does as well.

I guess they figure the more models they have, the more chance for market share.

 

[MrB0462]

I agree it does share a little of the new Sonata. What I wonder is why do they need this car? The have the mid-size Sonata, and they have the Gen and soon be Equus. Why do they need another large sedan? It will certainly compete with the Avalon, Max, LaCrosse, and Taurus, however, I believe the Genesis already does as well.

I guess they figure the more models they have, the more chance for market share.

TJC

I agree its redundant

One caveat, if the put Equus and Genesis into a separate facility and/or brand, then they need the Azera for the Hyundai brand.

Dave

 

[danieltoye101@msn.com]

Your right if Genesis becomes a separate brand...Also it's for the clients that still think they need a V-6. Think of the Avalon with Toyota.

 

[Fulorian]

Let's face it, Genesis won't be a 30-40k car for long. In 5 - 10 years, it will be a 40 - 55k car, and Equus will be a 60 - 80k car - plus, they'll probably be spun off into a Genesis brand by then. They're priced low for market penetration and to create the halo today, not because that's their fair market price. Once that happens, they will need a flagship large car for Hyundai, so there's no sense in saying that just because the slot isn't really necessary today, they should abandon the Azera brand. Once Genesis loads up to 55k, they will need a car to compete with the Maxima/Avalon/Taurus/Passat CC/etc.

Sonata may be an awesome car, but it's not a large semi-luxo-cruiser, it's a midrange family car. Genesis isn't a sporty full-lux, there has to be a high-size lower-lux marque. You don't see Nissan canceling the Maxima because they have Altima and M37, do you?

If this Azera ends up looking as inspired as the rest of their fluidic designs so far, it could be a game changer in that segment and really put a damper on the Genesis for a while. Let's face it, the Genesis could badly use some of that fluidic sculpture language in its next generation. I'm really glad they're finally giving the Azera some attention - they've just let it languish and nearly die in favor of the Genesis. That said, there's really no reason to not put the full Genesis-spec Lambda in the Azera. Though I'd be really interested in what they could do with a turbo-DI small V6. I bet they could pull 350+ hp on 30 mpg. That would make the auto industry's head spin - especially if they didn't tack on an extra 10 - 15k for it like Ford's EcoBoost engines.

The biggest problem with the Azera (aside from the utterly forgettable styling and complete lack of advertising) in my opinion, is that people in that segment want leather seats. It's supposed to be a near-lux large cruiser. The $25k baseline price point is VERY compelling - but if you want to get those leather seats, you're suddenly paying $30k out of nowhere. Or, you could get a Genesis for 33k, and get a better and more attractive car. It's just a no brainer.

If they offered an Azera mid-range package at $27k that offered leather seats, combined with this new design appearance, they'd knock the cover off the ball in getting that brand restarted. The problem, of course, is that you start stealing from Sonata Limited's customer base.

I hate to say it, but the biggest problem is that Genesis is too cheap.

 

[STREETS]

I think world-wide, Azera has more need where-as Genesis isn't distributed widely.

 

[YEH]

Let's face it, Genesis won't be a 30-40k car for long. In 5 - 10 years, it will be a 40 - 55k car, and Equus will be a 60 - 80k car - plus, they'll probably be spun off into a Genesis brand by then. They're priced low for market penetration and to create the halo today, not because that's their fair market price. Once that happens, they will need a flagship large car for Hyundai, so there's no sense in saying that just because the slot isn't really necessary today, they should abandon the Azera brand. Once Genesis loads up to 55k, they will need a car to compete with the Maxima/Avalon/Taurus/Passat CC/etc.

Sonata may be an awesome car, but it's not a large semi-luxo-cruiser, it's a midrange family car. Genesis isn't a sporty full-lux, there has to be a high-size lower-lux marque. You don't see Nissan canceling the Maxima because they have Altima and M37, do you?.

Exactly.

And let's not forget the FWD vs. RWD - many older drivers, esp. in cold weather climates want FWD (even if the 2nd gen Genesis gets AWD, many buyers don't want the adding weight/complication/price of AWD).

Having said that, don't particularly like the lines of the new Azera - if Kia had more dealerships, I'd say that the (likely) more handsome Kia Cadenza will otherwise outsell its cousin.