The Azera is every inch Hyundai's new flagship sedan, brimming with new thinking, creative solutions and an artful blend of style, sophistication, safety and performance. The Azera takes its inspiration from some of the biggest names in the upscale-car field, beating them at their own game in terms of interior roominess and standard safety features and equipment. But Azera also embodies the aspirations of its customers who want the features, quality and the performance of a premium sedan.

"The all-new Azera takes luxury appointments and personal comfort to a whole new level of sophistication," says Robert Cosmai, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "It offers the roominess and luxury of cars costing far more and delivers on Hyundai's promise of superior safety and value. Azera will earn distinction for segment-leading standard safety features, refined styling, and content that is generally reserved for higher-priced luxury sedans. We designed Azera to defy the conventional 'laws of luxury', and we think we've succeeded with this all-new premium sedan."

The Philosophy Of A Flagship

Hyundai appreciates the power of first impressions, and one look at the Azera reveals that this is clearly an extraordinary sedan. The proportions are graceful, purposeful and aerodynamically efficient to reduce wind noise, maximize stability on the highway and create a spacious cabin.

"The Azera is sleek and modern, traits which are becoming signature Hyundai design characteristics," Cosmai continues. "Its well-designed exterior, matched with the ergonomic and feature-rich interior, really captures the essence of the new generation of Hyundai vehicles."

Sophisticated Safety SystemsWhat is a safe vehicle? One that helps its driver avoid accidents, while fully protecting its occupants if the worst should occur. The 2006 Azera embraces both active and passive safety with a host of leading-edge technologies.

The Azera's advanced engineering provides a high level of precision during all aspects of driving, and is backed by standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with a Traction Control System (TCS) that provides an important dynamic safety net. By continually analyzing road speed, steering input, throttle position, lateral yaw rate and other factors, an onboard microprocessor determines if the vehicle is starting to understeer or oversteer, and automatically engages one or more brakes, and reduces engine output to help the driver maintain the intended path.

In addition, Azera adds other key active-safety features including projector headlights and fog lamps, bright LED tail lamps with 132 individual fast-acting lighting elements for better visibility, double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, large four-wheel disc brakes, and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD).

Azera's passive-safety features are equally impressive, starting with a total of eight airbags, including advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags for both front and rear outboard seat occupants. In addition, active front head restraints help prevent whiplash, while the rear seat passengers each have an individual head restraint. Security is further advanced with a HomeLink(R) integrated transceiver, an engine immobilizer, and a remote keyless entry system with alarm.

Unprecedented Roominess And Accomodations

The new 2006 Azera is the most luxurious Hyundai ever. From its design and spaciousness to its features and appointments, it advances the art of building an affordable premium sedan. The Azera offers appointments befitting a flagship model and rivaling the finest premium brands. Standard are dual front automatic climate controls, electrochromic auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink(R), power driver and passenger seats, and woodgrain and metalgrain interior accents. Luxurious leather seating surfaces are standard in the Limited model, as are a power rear sunshade and electroluminescent instrument cluster. An Air Quality System (AQS) helps improve passenger comfort in urban environments.

For audiophiles, the available premium Infinity(R) audio system includes a seven-channel, 315-watt digital amplifier with an in-dash six-disc CD auto-changer driving 10 speakers in eight locations, including a subwoofer. The system also includes speed-sensitive volume and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.

Strong V6 Performance

On the road, the Azera delivers spirited performance thanks to its all-new, all-aluminum 3.8-liter DOHC V6 engine that delivers an 263 horsepower and 255 lb-ft. of torque. To maximize the power spread, the engine utilizes Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and a Variable Intake System, which helps cylinders breathe efficiently at both low and high RPM. The engine uses an alloy block and cylinder heads for lightweight and thermal efficiency, and features timing chains with no scheduled maintenance (instead of the belts found on many V6s, which must be replaced at set intervals).

Compared to its primary competitors, the Azera's 3.8-liter engine is not only the largest powerplant, but it offers more standard horsepower than the Ford Five Hundred and the Buick LaCrosse, and more torque than the Toyota Avalon and Ford Five Hundred. Even with its impressive output, the Azera is also environmentally friendly; it achieves Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) certification levels.

Married to the technically advanced V6 is an equally advanced five-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC(R) manual control. The transmission offers smooth shifts and a wide spread of ratios that ideally suit the engine's characteristics-including a tall overdrive fifth gear for quiet, efficient highway cruising. Drivers can access the SHIFTRONIC(R) 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 that's in use.

Chassis Features

Hyundai engineers benchmarked some of the best cars in the category before designing the Azera's unibody and four-wheel independent suspension system. Utilizing high-tensile steel in critical areas in the unibody increases stiffness and ensures formidable resistance to flexing, enhancing ride and handling qualities and lowering noise levels inside the vehicle. To this rigid structure is attached a double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension system complete with specially tuned twin-tube gas-charged dampers and front and rear stabilizer bars. The stiff body allowed Hyundai engineers to deliver a driving dynamics package that left little to compromise during the shock and bushing tuning phase. The end result is an Azera with precise steering and handling, and a well-controlled yet comfortable ride.

Together with the engine-speed-sensing rack-and-pinion power steering, the suspension provides unerring road feel while quietly isolating the passenger cabin from unwanted noise, vibration and harshness.

Two tires sizes are available. The Azera SE uses 16-inch five-spoke aluminum alloy wheels and 225/60HR16 tires, while the Limited gets 17-inch 10-spoke alloys and 235/55VR17 tires.

Azera SE

The Azera SE is an upscale, stylish large sedan designed for consumers who are interested in a unique combination of spaciousness, performance, and safety technologies. It includes an impressive range of standard features that give it a competitive edge. A partial list of features includes a powerful 3.8-liter DOHC V6 engine with 263 horsepower, a smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC(R) manual control, standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS), a six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 capability, and eight airbags. Upscale features include LED tail and brake lamps, auto dimming inside rearview mirror with HomeLink(R), power driver and passenger seats, and active front head restraints. Optionally available are a power sunroof, premium 10-speaker (in eight locations) Infinity(R) audio system with an in-dash CD changer, and heated front seats.

Azera Limited

A truly impressive array of standard features and amenities defines the prestigious Azera Limited, Hyundai's ultimate flagship sedan. Standard features include 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels with 235/55VR17 tires, leather-trimmed seating, heated front seats, and an electroluminescent gauge cluster. The Limited also has steering-wheel wood trim, a power rear sunshade, and bumper moldings with chrome-inserts. A 10-speaker (in eight locations) Infinity audio system with subwoofer and an in-dash 6-disc CD changer is optional, as are power adjustable tilt-and-telescopic steering column, integrated memory system, power-adjustable foot pedals, rain-sensing wipers and other upgrades.

Warranty

The all-new 2006 Hyundai Azera is protected by the Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty(TM). Coverage includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Azera buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit) and that service includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses. There is no deductible on any of these coverages.

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif. is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 670 Hyundai dealerships nationwide.

# # #

Journalists are invited to visit our news media web site: www.hyundainews.com