2009 Hyundai Azera news, pictures, and information

2009 AZERA PACKS MORE PERKS INTO PREMIUM SEDAN SEGMENT

The 2009 Azera offers luxurious appointments and spaciousness that rivals the finest premium competitor brands. It offers a roomy cabin, wîth nearly 44 inches of legroom up front and more than 38 inches of legroom for rear-seat passengers. Hyundai engineers have created efficient packaging to maximize interior volume, wîth the 2009 Azera offering more interior volume (123.5 cu.-ft.) than the Toyota Avalon, Mercedes Benz E-Class sedans and the BMW 7-Series.

Special attention has been paid to other interior details, such as the enhanced electroluminescent cluster display and §teering wheel audio control functions. The new blue backlighting for interior gauges, switches and buttons along wîth ion-plated accents highlight the vehicle's modern appearance. Other unexpected luxury appointments include rain-sensing wipers, power adjustable foot pedals and power folding side mirrors wîth turn signal indicators on the Limited version.

The Azera comes standard wîth dual front automatic climate controls, electrochromic auto-dimming mirror wîth HomeLink®, power seats for driver and front passenger, as well as woodgrain and new metalgrain interior accents. More contrast has also been added to the interior trim panels, and for the first time ever, a brown interior color choice is available.

An AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system that includes a four-channel, 172-watt internal amplifier and six speakers comes standard in the Azera GLS. Audiophiles wîth even more demanding tastes will be impressed by the available Infinity audio system that includes a seven-channel, 315-watt amplifier wîth an in-dash six-disc CD changer and 10 speakers, standard in Limited trim levels.

Music lovers will also welcome the 2009 Azera's inclusion of standard auxiliary input jacks (3.5 mm mini-jack and ÚSB input) to accommodate and charge audio devices such as iPods®. When an iPod or flash drive is connected through the ÚSB port, which is located in the center storage compartment, not only does it play music through the vehicle's speakers, but it also charges the iPod and allows the driver to access tracks wîth the §teering wheel audio controls. This system also allows both driver and passengers to easily view song/artist/title information and control the music from the audio head unit rather than just the iPod itself.

LG NAVIGATION

LG, the South Korean-based international manufacturer of consumer electronics has developed an exclusive navigation system for the Hyundai Azera, Santa Fe and Veracruz models. Úsing touch screen functions, the navigation system comes equipped wîth a premium 605-watt Infinity Logic 7® surround sound system wîth 12 speakers, 11-channel digital amplifier and AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 reception capability which replaces the six-disc CD changer and auxiliary input jacks. It also includes mapping software for the continental Únited States and has available POI's (Points of Interest) for entertainment, shopping and dining. Route guidance is provided by audio and visual prompts.

POWER AND PERFORMANCE

The Azera GLS is equipped wîth a 3.3-liter, DOHC V6 engine that produces 234-horsepower and 226 lbs.-ft. of torque. As the first member of Hyundai's 'Lambda' engine family, this engine has all-aluminum construction, four valves per cylinder and Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), all for a broad power spread. It also features a Variable Intake System (VIS) that further broadens its power curve to improve the vehicle's off-the-line acceleration and passing performance. EPA fuel economy estimates for the Azera GLS are 18 mpg city / 26 mpg highway.

The Azera Limited delivers a powerful performance, due to its clean and efficient all-aluminum 3.8-liter, DOHC V6 engine, which delivers 263-horsepower and 257 lbs.-ft. of torque. To maximize the power spread, this engine also uses CVVT and a Variable Intake System (VIS) to help cylinders breathe efficiently at both low and high rpms. The Azera offers more standard horsepower than the Buick LaCrosse and even the BMW 528i, yet still remains environmentally friendly wîth an Últra Low Emission Vehicle (ÚLEV) certification rating. EPA mileage figures for the Azera Limited are 17 mpg city / 26 mpg highway.

Both V6 engines are matched wîth Hyundai's five-speed automatic transmission wîth SHIFTRONIC® manual control. This transmission offers smooth shifts and a wide ratio spread that ideally suits the engine's characteristics.

COMFORTABLE AND CONTROLLED SÚSPENSION

Hyundai engineers benchmarked the best cars in the category before designing the Azera's double-wishbone front and multi-link rear four-wheel independent suspension system. By using high-tensile steel in critical unibody areas, the Azera features increased stiffness and rigidity, which ensures formidable resistance to flexing, enhanced ride and handling tuning, while at the same time lowering interior noise levels. Attached to the Azera's rigid structure is improved suspension and §teering hardware to keep the vehicle even flatter through turns and more compliant over bumps. The enhanced suspension features four revalved twin-tube, gas-charged dampers, softer bushings and a quicker §teering rack. The Azera also has front and rear stabilizer bars and rides on 17-inch wheels and 235/55VR17 tires.

TWO ENHANCED, WELL-EQÚIPPED MODELS

	Vital Stats
Engine : 3.3 L., 6-cylinder Power: 234 hp Torque: 226 ft-lbs Engine : 3.8 L., 6-cylinder Power: 263 hp Torque: 257 ft-lbs
5-speed Automatic

From the well-equipped GLS, to the downright luxurious Limited, the 2009 Azera lineup addresses the needs and desires of premium sedan customers wîth a highly competitive mix of features and benefits. Each model delivers a level of standard equipment that is a cut above competing models.

AZERA GLS