Azera : Luxury Sedan From Hyundai

Azera : Luxury Sedan From Hyundai

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Hyundai is moving up-market with the introduction of the Azera, a car sized larger than the Sonata. Having established itself quite a reputation for making good small and medium cars, this move is clearly signals Hyundai’s intention to move upwards into the luxury car market with the introduction of this new flagship model.

In a product brief released by Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd, the official importers and assemblers of the Hyundai brand in Malaysia, the Azera is designed as a ‘state of the art modern large sedan, with a ‘prestigious up market appearance, a roomy and comfortable interior, with ‘improved emotional quality and appeal’, and advanced active and passive safety features. It goes on to state that the Azera comes with a ‘high performance engine’, possesses ‘greater stability and improved maneuverability, impressive braking performance’, and finally, ‘rear seat convenience, comfort and improved accessibility’.

Ambitious though the list above may seem, it does look as if Hyundai finally has come up with a serious contender in the upper end car class with this model.

The Azera is available in Malaysia as a CBU (fully imported), and the list of features that come with it is pretty impressive. The Azera is a deliberate effort by Hyundai to wrest a share of the market currently dominated by the likes of the Lexus E330, the Peugeot 607 and the Toyota Avalon. Interestingly, all the above models are currently not sold here, and if they are, the numbers are low. Perhaps Hyundai knows something we don’t, or they are looking at developing this segment. Of course the most popular ‘luxury’ models here would be the Mercedes and the BMW’s, and we know that UMW Toyota is kick-starting their Lexus sales here.

The Azera is targeted at well established family men in the 40s to 50s, in the upper levels of corporations, urban dwellers, and in the middle to higher income group, who are said to be ‘sensible, practical and conservative corporate executives, especially those who may have a high desire to drive their vehicles personally’, and the Azera’s specifications are stacked to appeal to this group.

From an exterior point of view, the Azera is certainly very refreshing, and if not for the familiar Hyundai badges at the front and rear, one might be forgiven for thinking that this is a European or Japanese car. If you looked at certain parts of the Azera in isolation, you would see elements of the popular Japanese and European models, prompting me to dub this as a Euro-Asian or Eurasian car. Admittedly, the rendition has been done with great finesse, and the overall effect is a car that is quite elegant and outstanding.

To make sure its performance is on par with or above that of its nearest competitors, Hyundai have put in a 3.3 litre, V6 engine with DOHC (Double Overhead Camshafts) in each bank. The engine also features CVVT (Continuously Variable Valve Timing), and develops 235PS of power at 6,000 RPM and peak torque of 31kg.m at 3,500 RPM.

The result is a zero to hundred-km/hr time of under 10 seconds. For durability, the all-aluminium block has ribbed reinforcement ribs to take the 10.4:1 compression ratio, and runs iridium plugs as standard. Coupled to a 5-speed auto transmission that also has a manual option (H-matic) the Azera is a smooth car to drive when you want to be responsible, but can get to be near ‘muscle car’ status should you put pedal to metal. Wheels are 17-inch alloys, and these are linked by double wishbone suspension at the front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear.

The Azera comes packed with sophisticated features. In the creature comfort area, you get full leather upholstery, and electrical controls for the driver, with 2-position memory. Legroom is generous for both front and rear occupants. To keep the vehicle weight down, the seat frames are made of lightweight magnesium. Tasteful wood paneling, subtle and not too loud, adds a little bit of class to the interior. The instrument panel is recessed, and is glare-proof, with green LED panel lights to reduce eyestrain. An auto light sensor and rain sensor are standard features, as is an Electro Chromatic rear view mirror. For the rear passengers, there is an additional air-conditioner blower, plus reading lights with individual controls. An 8-speaker audio system provides great audio, and a rear screen auto sunshade is also provided.

In the area of safety, the Azera is on par with the best in the market. Standard features include an ESP (Electronic Stability Program) that works in tandem with the ABS (Antilock Braking System), and TCS (Traction Control System). Disc brakes on all four wheels, with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) are included in the active safety list of goodies.

In the area of passive safety, the Azera has an NCAP 5-star rating for crash worthiness, active headrests and a reinforced roof corner structure. The firewall, C-pillar and rear parcel shelf area are also reinforced, as are the sill areas for better protection against side impacts, in addition to side impact beams fitted inside the doors. Frontal and rear collision-prone areas have the necessary crumple-zones built in. As a matter of course, the steering column is collapsible.

At the invitation of the local distributors, we had the opportunity to view the Azera and take it out for a short test drive. It was not a comprehensive test, so we do not have any indication of its fuel consumption, and whether it will stand the test of time. We did find it a pleasant car to drive, though. Being driven in it is also quite pleasant, as it does have that luxurious car feel. It rides well, and there is ample power for cruising or overtaking, a direct result of the large engine size working in tandem with the 5-speed auto box, and supported by the good suspension set-up. Thanks to the effort the design engineers have put into the area of NVH (noise, vibration, harshness), the interior is very quiet.

Listed at RM234k, the Azera offers an alternative to the buyer who wants something different.

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