Hyundai Azera/HG to hit China market in first half 2011

Shanghai December 3 (Gasgoo.com) Hyundai Motor will import its latest Azera/Grandeur (codenamed "HG") and FS to China in 2011 along with two facelift models Hyundai Equus Stretch Edition and Hyundai Rohens couple 3.0L, auto.qq.com reported, citing head of Hyundai China sales division.

The South Korean automaker has decided to introduce the new Azera to the world's largest auto market in the first half of next year, and will import the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid in 2012, the same source revealed on December 1, when Hyundai launched its all-new MPV H-1 with a price tag between 209,500 yuan and 248,000 yuan ($31,000-$37,000).

The spy shots showed that the new Hyundai Azera's roofline has been sharply designed and the chrome strip in the front and dashboard design seems inspired by the new Sonata.

Previous media reports said the new Azera will carry the 3.3L and 3.8L engines used on the Rohens model, but auto.qq.com disclosed the Chinese version of the car will be powered by two gasoline direct injection engines (GDI) - the 2.4GDI engine (148 kW; 250 Nm) and the 3.0GDI engine (193kW; 306Nm).