2017 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (render)
Hyundai is attempting to stir up a bit of excitement
over its next Azera, badged as the Grandeur in Korea, by dropping a batch of
teaser sketches ahead of a full reveal, initially in its home market next
month, and then the rest of the world.
While most manufacturer teasers tend to be on
the overly-exaggerated side when it comes to the design and even more so, the
proportions of a car, Hyundai’s sketches might not be far off from the truth.
Hyundai appears to
have breathed new life into its mid-size sedan with a more dynamic and sportier
styled body that looks more related to the Genesis G80 (previously known as the
Hyundai Genesis) than to the Azera, though, that might lead to an identity
problem for the Korean maker’s newborn luxury brand.
The all-new Azera’s
sophisticated design represents a dramatic departure from its predecessor’s
styling, while taking hints from previous Azera models to ensure it is still
fundamentally recognizable as the newest generation of a distinct lineage. That might mean something in Hyundai’s home turf where the Grandeur is hugely
popular, but we’re wagering they’ll sing a different tune in other markets
where the Azera is considered somewhat of a retiree special.
There’s no official word on powertrains and other
specifications yet, but in all likelihood, the new Azera will get Hyundai’s
latest four-cylinder and V6 gasoline units paired to an 8-speed automatic, and
in Korea, at least, a hybrid.
Despite dwindling sales in the mid-size sedan
segment, Hyundai will (most likely) offer the new model in the USA, though, at
this time, we don’t know if it will reveal the North American specification
model this year in LA, or in 2017 at the Detroit (January) or New York (April)
auto shows.
