2011 Hyundai Azera news, pictures, and information

REFRESHED 2011 AZERA ARRIVES BOASTING IMPROVED FUEL ECONOMY, MORE HORSEPOWER AND LOWER EMISSIONS

Hyundai's commitment to making the Azera extremely fuel efficient continues wîth a six-speed automatic transmission wîth SHIFTRONIC manual control. This transmission offers smooth shifts and a wide ratio spread that ideally suits both engines' characteristics.

Hyundai's all-new six-speed automatic transaxle helps the company meet its goals of improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Shifts are silky-smooth wîth an option of manual control through the SHIFTRONIC feature.

Drivers can access the SHIFTRONIC feature by moving the gear selector into a separate gate. Pushing the selector forward or pulling it rearward will shift the transmission up or down sequentially, adding to driver control. A clear LCD readout on the instrument panel shows the gear being used.

Designed for transverse engine applications in passenger cars and CÚVs, the new compact transmission puts Hyundai into an elite class of auto manufacturers who have designed their own proprietary six-speed automatic transmissions. The strength of the design is its unique layout which makes it smaller, more compact and lighter than any other six-speed transmission on the market today.

The gearbox has no dipstick because it is filled wîth automatic transmission fluid that increases vehicle life under normal usage conditions, thereby reducing maintenance costs.

Developed over a four-year period, this new six-speed automatic is 26.4 pounds lighter than the five-speed it replaces. It also is 1.6 inches shorter and considerably simpler, having 62 fewer parts, which is a key to increased durability, lighter weight and lower cost.

When it comes to transmissions, more gears are definitely better. The addition of a sixth gear enables closer spacing between gear ratios providing a better balance of performance and fuel economy while the wide overall gear ratio helps deliver strong, smooth acceleration.

The gearbox has three planetary gearsets and a unique flat torque converter that shortens the unit's overall length by 0.47 inches. Four pinion differentials improve durability and further minimize size.

Another example of engineering ingenuity is found in the design of the hydraulic pressure control unit. Slight manufacturing deviations from one solenoid valve to the next often cause fluctuation in the hydraulic pressure and affect shift precision and quality. The transmission featured in the Azera cleverly integrates adjustment screws in the valves that enable each of the eight valves to be calibrated at the factory. This feature ensures stable hydraulic pressure at any shift point which facilitates a high degree of precision and control needed to deliver fast, smooth and precise shifts throughout the rpm range.

STRIKING FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Azera is reborn wîth a more handsome exterior design. The most noticeable exterior upgrade is a new sleeker front bumper fascia, wîth a number of subtle design tweaks. Design updates up-front also include redesigned headlamps wîth LED surround accent lighting, new chrome grille and round foglights. A high-gloss window trim treatment enhances Azera's profile. The rear of the 2011 Azera features redesigned signature LED taillights, redesigned bumper wîth integrated chrome tailpipes and a matching decklid. Modernized 17-inch alloy wheels and revised side repeater mirrors wîth all-new bright puddle lamps light the way to Hyundai's refined premium large car wîth near-luxury attributes. Overall, Azera's proportions remain elegant, purposeful and aerodynamically efficient, reducing wind noise while adding maximum stability on the highway.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

	Vital Stats
Engine : 3.3 L., 6-cylinder Power: 260 hp Torque: 263 ft-lbs Engine : 3.3 L., 6-cylinder Power: 283 hp Torque: 263 ft-lbs
6-speed Automatic

Inside, Azera's spacious cabin provides not only roomy comfort, but a luxurious look wîth a new attention to detail that makes both driver and passengers feel like they are riding in a luxury sedan. (concept carz) These details include a new brushed metalgrain finish applied to the gear shift indicator area, cup holder cover, ashtray cover and center console cover and 'EZ Lane Change Assist' (one-touch triple turn signal stalks). Slight movement of this new turn signal stalk will cause the turn signals to blink three times and then automatically go off – an ideal feature for highway passing.

The 2011 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 2011 Azera offering more interior volume (123.5 cu.-ft.) than the Toyota Avalon and Nissan Maxima.

Special attention has also been paid to other interior details, such as the electroluminescent cluster display and §teering wheel audio control functions. The blue backlighting for interior gauges, switches and buttons along wîth ion-plated accents highlight the vehicle's modern appearance. Other unexpected luxury appointments include a power rear sunshade, integrated memory system and power-folding side mirrors wîth turn signal indicators and puddle lamps on the Limited version. Azera Limited also has a power tilt and telescopic §teering wheel, an integrated memory system, electrochromic auto-dimming mirror wîth HomeLink® premium door sill scuff plates and a woodgrain §teering wheel and door pulls to its long list of standard equipment.

The Azera comes standard wîth dual front automatic climate controls, solar control glass, power seats for driver and front passenger, as well as woodgrain and metalgrain interior accents.

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 2011 Azera's inclusion of standard iPod®/ÚSB and auxiliary input jacks to accommodate and charge audio devices such as iPods.

For drivers lòòking for the ultimate luxury options, Azera offers the Limited Trim wîth Navigation Package which receives a powerful Infinity 605-watt Logic 7® audio system as standard equipment in addition to its LG DVD navigation system.

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