VIDEO: Bang, Bang, Bang it's the 2012 Hyundai Azera Sedan

Having wow'd us with teaser renderings at first followed shortly after by official real-life photographs, Hyundai continues to build hype around its all-new-2012 Azera before the full reveal by giving the car a promotional role in a South Korean TV drama called "The Fugitive Plan B".

While official information around the new Azera, which will be sold as the Grandeur in its home market, remains scarce, one of our South Korean readers, Jinhwan H. claims that word around local news sites is that the car will be offered locally with a choice of three engines. These include the Sonata's 2.4-liter GDI with 200hp and 184.4lb-ft torque, a 3.0-liter V6 GDI delivering 263hp and 225.7lb-ft torque plus a 3.0-liter LPI running on Liquefied Petroleum Gas with 230hp, 204.7lb-ft torque.

For the North American version there is talk about the 2012 Azera being offered with the 263HP 3.0-liter GDI V6 and a 3.3-liter GDI V6 producing 286HP and 254.6lb-ft torque, with power in both cases being transferred to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

We'll update the story as soon as Hyundai releases official intel.

Thanks to Jinhwan.H for the tip!

_______________________________VIDEOS_______________________________

2012 Hyundai Azera - Grandeur: First Official Pictures

Shortly after releasing some teaser renderings of the all-new Azera or Grandeur in South Korea and other markets, Hyundai today dropped the first real life photos of its full size sedan that slots between the Sonata and the Genesis. The pictures were escorted by a South Korean-language press release, but aside from a recap of the car's design features, Hyundai did not reveal any other details on the Azera.

From now, all we know is that the car is based on a front wheel-drive platform and is expected to arrive stateside late next year as the 2012MY Azera. We'll have more information as it comes in.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Hyundai CEO says New Azera Coming Soon, will be More Upscale

You probably have noticed that Hyundai is on a roll lately. Whereas the newly-wed Fiat and Chrysler couple are trying to tidy up the mess left by Daimler -for the most part- with makeovers and tweaks, the South Korean automaker, which also owns Kia, is churning out one new model after the other.

More recently and following a barrage of presentations such as the new Equus, Genesis Sedan and Coupe, Sonata, Tucson, Accent (South Korea and Russia for now) and Elantra, Hyundai gave out the first renderings of its next brand new offering, the 2012 Azera. The family sedan, which will be sold as the Grandeur in certain markets, will slot between the Sonata and the Genesis in Hyundai's NA lineup.

While the official release didn't reveal much, Hyundai's North American boss and always eager to share info on the firm's future plans with the press, John Krafcik, spoke with Autonews on the sidelines of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

"We have changed everything, it's a remarkable car. It will surprise a lot of people." said Krafcik. Even though Hyundai NA's boss wouldn't confirm a U.S. launch date, he said that the new Azera "is not that far away."

Krafcik also revealed that like the current Azera, the new model will be front wheel drive offering a less sporty experience than the Genesis.

"The Azera is a front wheel drive car whereas the Genesis is rear-wheel-drive and performance-focused, so (the Azera) will have greater appeal in northern, snow-states where front wheel drive is important, but there will be a very, very strong level of differentiation between the two cars," Krafcik said.

No word on powertrain options yet, but it is likely that Hyundai will offer the Azera only with V6 engines to further distance it from the Sonata which is available exclusively with four-cylinder units. Expect to see the new Azera making its world premiere in 2011 and going on sale before the end of the year.

Source: Autonews

________________________2012 HYUNDAI AZERA________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

________________________2011 HYUNDAI AZERA________________________

Hyundai Teases All-New Azera / Grandeur, Slots Between Sonata and Genesis

Hyundai is getting ready to lift the wraps of its fully redesigned Azera large sedan that will slot between the front-wheel drive Sonata and the rear-wheel drive Genesis when it arrives in dealerships. The automaker released the first teaser sketches of the 2012 Azera, which will be badged as the Grandeur in South Korea and other markets. The styling reflects Hyundai's 'fluidic sculpture' design language taking cues from both the smaller Sonata and larger Genesis with a hint of Equus at the rear with the pronounced rear wheel arches.

Here's how Hyundai describes the new Azera / Grandeur's exterior styling:

"The exterior rendering reflects a `Grand Glide' concept, or an image of a bird gracefully gliding across the sky The front of the car has a bold grille, emphasizing the car's premium look. The side part consists of elegant and flowing lines that exude an overall dynamic image. The rear side conveys a futuristic look through stylish LED lamps and the voluminous wide rear bumper."

The South Korean automaker is keeping a tight lid on the mechanical details and the launch date for now, but it shouldn't be long before we get more news in.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

2011 Hyundai Azera Facelift with More Powerful V6 Engines

Hyundai rolled out a mildly restyled version of the Azera sedan at the Chicago Auto Show this week. We first got a taste of the changes made on the 2011 Azera back in December '09 when Hyundai launched the sedan's South Korean domestic market twin, the Grandeur, in its facelifted form.

The biggest changes to Hyundai's competitor to vehicles such as the Lexus ES350, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Buick LaCrosse and Ford Taurus (or at least those are the cars that Hyundai claims that the Azera rivals) are well hidden under the hood.

Both the 3.3-liter and 3.8-liter V6 engines of the 2011 Azera have been enhanced with the use of Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (DCVVT) that improves engine breathing on the intake and exhaust camshafts for better fuel economy and lower emissions.

The previous versions of the V6 engines only had CVVT on the intake camshaft. Furthermore, both engines benefit from the adoption of a new six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control

The 3.3-liter V6 unit now produces an estimated 250 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 233 lbs.-ft. at 4,500 rpm of torque, up from 234 hp and 226 lb-ft in the 2010 model. With this engine, the 2011 Azera returns an estimated 20 mpg city / 29 mpg highway (2010MY: 18mpg and 26mpg respectively).

The larger 3.8-liter V6 churns out 272 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 lbs.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm, while returning 18 mpg city / 28 mpg highway. The 2010 Azera's 263HP 3.8-liter V6 returned 17mpg city and 26mpg highway.

As with the KDM Grandeur, the cosmetic tweaks on the 2011 Azera are minimal. The most noticeable exterior updates concern the reshaped front bumper, new headlamps with LED surround accent lighting, new chrome grille and round foglights.

The redesigned LED taillights and restyled bumper with integrated chrome tailpipes and a matching decklid at the back along with the revised exterior mirrors and the new designs for the alloy wheels complete the list of exterior updates.

Inside, changes are limited to a new brushed metalgrain finish applied to the gear shift indicator area, cup holder cover, ashtray cover and center console cover.

The refreshed Azera will go on sale across the nation in Spring 2010.

Hyundai Gives Azera /Grandeur Sedan a Mid-Life Facelift

Here's our first look at the 2010 Hyundai Grandeur facelift that was revealed in its home market in South Korea today. The revised Grandeur sedan, which is sold as the Azera in North America and other international markets, has received some minor cosmetic tweaks to keep it looking contemporary in a line-up of newer Hyundai products.

Most of the styling upgrades concern the mid-size sedan's front end which gains new headlamps, a redesigned bumper and larger grille.

At the back, changes are limited to the modestly revised LED tail lights, the reshaped bumper and the new chrome tail pipes.

Aside from some new options and standard features, the only difference inside concerns the introduction of a new package with Alcantara seats.

It remains unclear if or when Hyundai will redesign the North American Azera.

KDM 2010 Hyundai Grandeur Facelift

________________________________________________________________

U.S.-Spec 2010 Hyundai Azera