► All-new luxury saloon destined for overseas markets
► Ultra-modern design but with retro influence
► Another hit for Hyundai’s design studio
Hyundai has unveiled the latest version of its flagship saloon. Named the Grandeur in its home market of South Korea and the Azera in the Middle East, the 7th-generation model gets a design that’s equal parts futuristic and nostalgic, with many of its styling cues callbacks to the original Grandeur of 1986.
Forward-looking styling with retro touches
The Grandeur is a massive saloon car, dominated by clean lines. There are full-width LED lightbars front and rear and low-set headlights pilfered right from the Staria minivan. A hidden exhaust, flush door handles and seamless glass help the overall uncluttered look – Hyundai’s latest design language, first properly seen on the Ioniq 5.
Hyundai calls the interior ‘an oasis for relaxation and recovery’. It’s a very slick design, dominated by two large upper screens that flow organically out of a full-width dashboard element. Below them there’s a third screen for climate controls, separated by a strip of air vents and a few physical switches.
Ambient lighting highlights rather nice material choices, such as vertically quilted door trim and seat fabric in Nappa leather, aluminium elements on the dash and strips of real wood. Hyundai’s also moved the gear selector to the steering column, to further unclutter the centre console.
Rather subtly done are the callbacks to the original Grandeur. The tall window in the C-pillar may give a flavour of Ford Sierra to the car’s profile, but it’s also the spit of the Mk1 car. The same goes for the steering wheel, which is inspired by the original car’s single-spoke affair.
The dash design is actually very similar to the Heritage Series Grandeur, revealed last year – a retro concept based on the original flagship.
No word on powertrains yet
Hyundai’s kept schtum on what you’ll find under the bonnet of the Grandeur so far. The previous car was available with turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines plus a hybrid. It’s definitely fair to assume a hybrid model will return, though it’s possible further electrification will be offered in the form of a full EV version.
The Grandeur won’t be sold in Europe, but indicates further progress for Hyundai as it morphs into a properly exciting modern brand. Perhaps sister brand Genesis could take a few pointers – the Grandeur looks much more appealing than anything it’s sold in Europe so far…