Hyundai Motor America Enters New Segment With Its First Large Passenger Car
12 January 2000
Hyundai Motor America Enters New Segment With Its First Large Passenger Car Vehicle, Known as XG Grandeur in Korea, Will Go on Sale
In Fourth Quarter of 2000
DETROIT, Jan. 12 -- Hyundai Motor America announced today at
the North American International Auto Show that it will begin selling a full
size passenger car, called the XG Grandeur in Korea, in the fourth quarter of
this year.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000112/DEW005-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000112/DEW005-b )
The vehicle, larger than Hyundai's current Sonata model, will be available
with a full complement of luxury features as standard equipment. The name of
the U.S. version of the vehicle has not yet been selected. Pricing will be
announced later this year but is expected to be in the $22,000 to $24,000
range.
The Hyundai XG, a 4-door, 5-passenger sedan, will compete in the upper
middle sedan segment. It will come with a standard 3.0-liter V-6 engine and
5-speed automatic transmission and is front-wheel drive. There will be only
one major option available on the vehicle, a power sunroof.
"We're very excited to be expanding our model lineup with this outstanding
vehicle," said Hyundai Motor America President and Chief Executive Officer
Finbarr O'Neill. "It provides the next step up for our Sonata owners who love
their Hyundai but are looking for a car with more room and luxury features."
Among the car's standard features are four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, air
conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, projector beam headlights,
15-inch alloy wheels with Michelin "V" rated tires, leather seating, trip
computer and front compartment front and side air bags.
The standard V-6 3.0-liter engine is a double overhead cam design and
develops 192 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 178 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000
rpm. The engine is mounted transversely and has a variable intake system and
anti-vibration balance shaft.
The vehicle's overall length is 191.5 inches, overall width 71.9 inches
and overall height 55.9 inches. The wheelbase is 108.3 inches.
The XG comes standard with a fully automatic five-speed transmission.
This H-matic transmission allows manual gear selection, allowing the driver to
manually shift up or down the transmission range. The transmission is fully
adaptive, adjusting to the driving style of the driver.
The XG suspension uses independent double wishbones in the front with an
anti-roll bar. The rear features a multi-link suspension with dynamic toe
control and anti-roll bar. Nitrogen gas-filled shocks are used at all four
wheels. The front shocks have special low velocity control valving to provide
excellent high speed ride control while still providing a smooth ride.
The four-wheel disc brakes have a four-wheel, four-sensor, four-channel
anti-lock braking system (ABS) to assure the best in braking. The system is
standard on every XG. A pedal is used to activate the emergency brake.
Comfort features, in addition to those already mentioned include AM/FM/CD
stereo system with 6 speakers, trip computer, power door locks and exterior
mirrors with heated mirror elements and power driver and passenger seats among
other features.
"We want to offer an extremely well equipped vehicle that offers
everything a driver would want at a price that represents an outstanding
value. As we expand our model line, our goal is to introduce new vehicles
that advance the Hyundai brand and image in the minds of car buyers. We
believe the XG does exactly that," said O'Neill.
Hyundai Motor America, based in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary
of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars are distributed in the United
States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through nearly 500
dealerships nationwide.
