Hyundai gives Grandeur a lift

HYUNDAI Motor Co Australia has introduced a facelifted version of its Grandeur large sedan, adding a host of aesthetic enhancements for no increase in recommended retail price.

Hyundai will be hoping the 2011 upgrade will mark a change in fortune for its luxury car, which returned to Australia in 2006 after slow sales forced its discontinuation two years earlier.

Like the previous XG series, the TG Grandeur has not performed to expectations, despite an upgrade late in 2008 and further measures to improve its outlook, including a $3000 price reduction to the 3.8-litre petrol V6 and the introduction of a 2.2-litre diesel engine.

Pricing holds firm at $39,990 for the petrol model and $41,990 for the diesel, plus statutory and dealer delivery charges.

While it has experienced massive growth in most other segments in which it competes, Hyundai has struggled with Grandeur, recording only 51 sales for 2009 – less than half that of the previous year – and according to VFACTS figures released this week has sold only 12 units for the first five months of 2010 to be 40 per cent down on last year over the same period.

The latest upgrade brings with it a redesigned grille, black-bezel headlights and a revised front bumper, which includes a black-mesh lower airdam flanked by new foglamps and contributes to a 15mm increase in overall length of the vehicle (now 4910mm).

A different seven-spoke pattern adorns the 17-inch alloy wheels, the wing mirrors now incorporate indicator and puddle lights, and the B-pillar is now finished in piano-black to provide a “seamless flow” between the front and rear windows.

At the rear, the 2011 Grandeur has a fresh tail-light design with a geometric theme, twin exhaust outlets and a new rear bumper with a chrome insert.

Inside, the cabin now has a metal finish on the centre console, while the driver is handed a one-touch triple turn signal and a single key that now combines remote central locking functions.

Standard features on Grandeur continue to include a high level of safety equipment, including eight airbags, electronic stability and traction control and ABS brakes with EBD.

There is also no shortage of creature comforts, including electric front seat adjustment (with driver’s memory), front seat heating, a leather-clad multi-function steering wheel, power-operated steering column adjustment, an auto-dipping rearview mirror, trip computer, dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning and a JBL premium stereo with eight speakers, six-CD stacker and MP3/WMA/iPod compatibility.

Full leather upholstery also remains part of the standard package, matched to the exterior paint colour. Sleek Silver paint brings a black interior, while Noble White and Black Diamond exterior paintwork is available with either black or being interior trim.

Metallic/mica paint adds $375 on to the price. Other options include front and rear parking sensors, 18-inch alloy wheels and enhanced iPod functionality, including a direct connect lead.

There are no mechanical changes for the 2011 Grandeur, which continues in single specification that presents customers with a choice of either petrol or diesel power that drives the front wheels through a five-speed automatic gearbox.

The 3.8-litre CVVT V6 petrol engine produces 194kW of power at 6000rpm and 348Nm of torque at 4500rpm. The 2.2-litre CRDi turbo-diesel produces 114kW at 4000rpm and 343Nm from 1800-2500rpm.