| Luxury has to be exclusive. Right? | | | | Quality System (AQS) helps improve passenger |
| But to be exclusive, it has to be dearer, less | | | | comfort in urban environments. |
| reachable. Still right with us? | | | | For audiophiles, the available premium Infinity audio |
| At least, that's classic luxury school. | | | | system includes a seven-channel, 315-watt digital |
| But how about luxury in a global world, beyond | | | | amplifier with an in-dash six-disc CD auto-changer |
| the old slogans of passing cherished goods from | | | | driving 10 speakers in eight locations, including a |
| father to son, because, 1, technology is moving | | | | subwoofer. The system also includes |
| fast, too fast anyway to keep products | | | | speed-sensitive volume and |
| up-to-date for more than just a few months | | | | steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. |
| after their launch, and 2, because the most | | | | Engine and performance - Azera comes with an |
| advanced technologies are growing cheaper and | | | | all-new, all-aluminum 3.8-liter DOHC V6 engine that |
| cheaper, or more and more approachable, thanks | | | | delivers a 263 horsepower and 255 lb-ft. (345 |
| to better materials, production efficiencies, and | | | | Nm) of torque. |
| growing market demands? | | | | To maximize the power spread, the engine utilizes |
| If cost is dropping, should luxury remain expensive | | | | Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and a |
| for the sake of it then? Should exclusivity remain | | | | Variable Intake System, which helps cylinders |
| too closely tight to high prices? | | | | breathe efficiently at both low and high RPM, as |
| Maybe yes, and maybe not, the latter argument | | | | well as achieving ultra Low Emission Vehicle |
| being based especially on the fast advance of | | | | (ULEV) certification levels |
| Japanese and now Korean brands into luxury land. | | | | The engine uses an alloy block and cylinder heads |
| Of course, the first "maybe yes" argument should | | | | for lightweight and thermal efficiency, and |
| hold too, since these same luxury Lexus, Infinity, | | | | features timing chains with no scheduled |
| and now Hyundai models have to remain dearer | | | | maintenance (instead of the belts found on many |
| than their Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai brands | | | | V6s, which must be replaced at set intervals). |
| siblings, to keep their image hovering somewhere | | | | Married to the modern V6 is an equally advanced |
| above the "commoner's" car. | | | | five-speed automatic transmission with |
| However, it is precisely between the "maybe yes, | | | | SHIFTRONIC manual control. It offers smooth |
| maybe no", that another luxury concept is | | | | shifts and a wide spread of ratios that ideally suit |
| unfolding, a concept of reasonably dearer luxury, | | | | the engine's characteristics - including a tall |
| but not necessarily an out-of-reach one, leaving | | | | overdrive fifth gear for quiet, efficient highway |
| the real expensive class to the Rolls Royce, | | | | cruising. |
| Maybach, Bugatti... club. | | | | Drivers can access the SHIFTRONIC feature by |
| What if more and more people are finding it more | | | | moving the gear selector into a separate gate. |
| interesting to get more luxury for their money, | | | | Pushing the selector forward or pulling it rearward |
| like a large sedan plus a compact secondary | | | | will shift the transmission up or down sequentially, |
| hatch, for the price of one car from a traditional | | | | adding to driver control. A clear LCD readout on |
| luxury brand... especially that when it comes to | | | | the instrument panel shows the gear that's in use. |
| electronics glitches, all cars seem the same! | | | | Chassis & suspension - Hyundai engineers |
| That is where the door seems wide open for | | | | benchmarked some of the best cars in the |
| new luxury entrants like the 2006 Hyundai Azera | | | | category before designing the Azera's unibody |
| which comes to replace, with stronger size and | | | | and four-wheel independent suspension system. |
| equipment arguments, the previous generation | | | | Utilizing high-tensile steel in critical areas in the |
| known as Grandeur or XG 350. | | | | unibody increases stiffness and ensures high |
| So, what does the new Hyundai Azera offer now, | | | | resistance to flexing, enhancing ride and handling |
| for a price expected to start in the US market | | | | qualities and lowering noise levels inside the vehicle. |
| below the US$30,000 (The 2005 XG350 MSRP | | | | To this rigid structure is attached a |
| started at US$24,899). | | | | double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link |
| As Hyundai puts it, the new 2006 Hyundai Azera | | | | rear suspension system complete with specially |
| is an "affordable premium sedan" destined to | | | | tuned twin-tube gas-charged dampers and front |
| redefine the way people think about premium | | | | and rear stabilizer bars. |
| sedans... "because the terms "premium" and | | | | Together with the engine-speed-sensing |
| "attainable" have been exclusive until now". | | | | rack-and-pinion power steering, the suspension is |
| With standard safety technology including | | | | designed to provide unerring road feel while quietly |
| Electronic Stability Control and upscale | | | | isolating the passenger cabin from unwanted |
| convenience features, the Azera aims to prove | | | | noise, vibration and harshness. |
| that riche content and affordability can coexist. | | | | Two tires sizes are available. The Azera SE uses |
| Hyundai admits that its new flagship sedan takes | | | | 16-inch five-spoke aluminum alloy wheels and 225 |
| its inspiration from some of the biggest names in | | | | 60HR16 tires, while the Limited gets 17-inch |
| the upscale-car field, only to claim beating them at | | | | 10-spoke alloys and 235/55VR17 tires. |
| their own game in terms of interior roominess | | | | AZERA SE - The Azera SE is designed for those |
| and standard safety features and equipment. | | | | who are interested in a combination of |
| Says Robert Cosmai, president and CEO of | | | | spaciousness, performance, and safety |
| Hyundai Motor America. "The all-new Azera offers | | | | technologies. It includes standard features such as |
| the roominess and luxury of cars costing far | | | | the five-speed automatic transmission with |
| more and delivers on Hyundai's promise of | | | | SHIFTRONIC, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) |
| superior safety and value. Azera will earn | | | | with Traction Control System (TCS), a |
| distinction for... content that is generally reserved | | | | six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 |
| for higher-priced luxury sedans." | | | | capability, and eight airbags. Upscale features |
| The 2006 Azera is backed by standard Electronic | | | | include LED tail and brake lamps, auto dimming |
| Stability Control (ESC) with a Traction Control | | | | inside rearview mirror with HomeLink, power |
| System (TCS). By continually analyzing road | | | | driver and passenger seats, and active front head |
| speed, steering input, throttle position, lateral yaw | | | | restraints. |
| rate and other factors, an onboard | | | | Optionally available are a power sunroof, premium |
| microprocessor determines if the vehicle is | | | | 10-speaker (in eight locations) Infinity audio |
| starting to understeer or oversteer, and | | | | system with an in-dash CD changer, and heated |
| automatically engages one or more brakes, and | | | | front seats. |
| reduces engine output to help the driver maintain | | | | AZERA LIMITED - The Azera Limited standard |
| the intended path. | | | | features include 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels with |
| In addition, Azera comes with other active-safety | | | | 235/55VR17 tires, leather-trimmed seating, heated |
| features including projector headlights and fog | | | | front seats, and an electro luminescent gauge |
| lamps, bright LED tail lamps with 132 individual | | | | cluster. |
| fast-acting lighting elements for better visibility, | | | | The Limited also has steering-wheel wood trim, a |
| double-wishbone front and multi-link rear | | | | power rear sunshade, and bumper moldings with |
| suspension, large four-wheel disc brakes, and | | | | chrome-inserts. |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic | | | | A 10-speaker (in eight locations) Infinity audio |
| Brake Distribution (EBD). | | | | system with subwoofer and an in-dash 6-disc CD |
| Azera's passive-safety features start with a total | | | | changer is optional, as are power adjustable |
| of eight airbags, including advanced dual front | | | | tilt-and-telescopic steering column, integrated |
| airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact | | | | memory system, power-adjustable foot pedals, |
| airbags, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags for | | | | rain-sensing wipers and other upgrades. |
| both front and rear outboard seat occupants. | | | | The all-new 2006 Hyundai Azera is covered in the |
| Active front head restraints help prevent whiplash. | | | | USA five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper |
| Security is further advanced with a HomeLink | | | | protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain |
| integrated transceiver, an engine immobilizer, and | | | | warranty, five-year/unlimited mileage roadside |
| a remote keyless entry system with alarm. | | | | assistance and seven-year/unlimited mileage |
| Roominess - The new 2006 Azera offers | | | | anti-perforation coverage. |
| standard dual front automatic climate controls, | | | | In addition, Azera buyers receive 24-hour roadside |
| electrochromic auto-dimming mirror with | | | | assistance coverage at no extra charge for five |
| HomeLink, power driver and passenger seats, and | | | | years (no mileage limit) and that service includes |
| wood grain and metal grain interior accents. | | | | emergency towing, lockout service and limited |
| Leather seating surfaces are standard in the | | | | coverage for trip-interruption expenses (no |
| Limited model, as are a power rear sunshade and | | | | deductible on any of these coverages). |
| electro luminescent instrument cluster. An Air | | | | |