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2012 Hyundai Azera Preview +Video - "A Yes Brainer"

01.12.11

Design is always influenced by personal taste. That said, buyers have been rewarding the American-designed styling Hyundai calls “Fluidic Sculpture” with their hard earned cash, dealers can scarcely keep Sonata and now Elantra in stock. Although Hyundai declined to price the 2012Azera, outgoing 2011 Limited models list in the $28-$32,000 range and we expect similar pricing.

Exterior design, created by Hyundai’s California studio, is slightly restrained compared to Sonata. Sculptural aspects start at the arched three-bar chrome grille, sliding into HID headlamps with LED accent lights encased in a wraparound that extends into muscular front wheel arches. Door panels are relatively calm, using a tight accent line created by lightly shaped metal that leads the eye from front wheel into a highly arched rear deck that recalls Camaro and BMW 7 Series. Wraparound tail lamps seem familiar, with centered crystalline backup lights. The deck is high, producing more downforce and lots of trunk space, and creating a very tight rear slope to the backlight. Besides creating a tight angle at the C pillar, it draws the eye and visually creates speed and tension. It also makes room for a panoramic dual-panel sunroof that splits the padded ceiling to reveal a push-back glass panel. Other features include heated side mirrors with inclusive integrated turn signals a’ la’ Mercedes, sculpted chrome-tipped dual exhausts, standard 18” alloy wheels with a 19” upgrade.

Source: Autochannel (press release)