2011 Hyundai Azera

QUIET CONFIDENCE.

Some might say performance doesn't matter in a luxury car. If that were the case, luxury cars would be nothing more than economy cars with added equipment. At Hyundai, we think of performance as another form of luxury, but we also believe performance is more complex than the sum of a car's test data. Instead, we judge a car by asking one very important question: How well does it measure up to expectations? Hyundai engineers tried to go one step further, by engineering the Azera's performance to exceed expectations with responsive power, confident maneuvering and low noise levels.

CURB APPEAL.

The Azera's distinctive bodyside lines frame the rear wheels like no other car on the road, while the LED tail lights that cover nearly the entire width of the vehicle give it a subtle visual signature all its own and the chrome-tipped dual exhaust is integrated into the rear bumper. You'll note that the trunk lock is hidden from sight so as not to blemish the styling. Open the trunk and you'll find it nicely lined, with integrated hinges that won't damage your cargo. We're not sure what's more remarkable: that the Azera includes such attention to detail, or that all cars don't.

SOLID INTEGRITY.

When you examine an Azera, you'll notice a difference in the way it's finished. But even the things you can't see have been carefully considered by our engineers. For instance, the thickness of the side glass was specially designed to ensure that outside noise would stay outside. The jointing and sealing methods used on the car were also developed to increase refinement and longevity. And wherever extra effort would be noticed and appreciated by the customer, we encouraged the engineers to make it. One of the many reasons the Azera has continued to win over the public and the press.

SPEAK SOFTLY.

The Hyundai Azera pays homage to the saying "fashion fades, style endures" by designing a car for those who champion quality and intelligent design over showiness. To that end, the goal for the Azera's exterior styling was to exude confidence and avoid gimmicks, while still maintaining the functional comfort that buyers of this class of car demand. Adding to the already sophisticated look of the Azera, we've enhanced the exterior with many premium updates such as a bolder front grille design, chrome tipped dual exhaust integrated into the bumper, 17" alloy-wheels and LED rear tail lights.

HOW TO ENGINEER SILENCE.

Designing a quiet interior is all about detail-oriented engineering. It involves testing, tweaking, and testing again. The goal is simple: to quiet road and wind noise, reduce engine vibration, and eliminate any sources of rattles or squeaks. But the solution can be complex. For instance, you'd think that adding additional soundproofing would be an obvious way to create quiet. But the fact is, if a car's systems are producing undue noise, no amount of soundproofing will quash it. What's more, extra soundproofing material can take up valuable space and add weight.

AN INTERIOR THAT CUSTOMIZES ITSELF TO YOU.

Hyundai's seat engineers took a close look at ways of making the Azera's seats even more comfortable and supportive. Seatbacks were strategically reinforced to offer appropriate lumbar support. The key is being able to adjust the seat to fit each person individually. The Azera allows you to power-adjust the driver's seat in eight different ways; front passengers have four available adjustments. The Integrated Memory System allows you to program and store the position of the steering wheel, mirrors, and driver seat. The seats are even heated.

IMPRESSIVE SAFETY.

The Hyundai Azera is equipped with a long list of active and passive safety features, including eight standard airbags11, a high-tensile steel unibody, active front head restraints, Electronic Stability Control, a Traction Control System5, and an intelligent braking system. Also standard: peace of mind.

AUDIO OPTIONS.

From the standard audio system on each trim level to the top-of-the-line Infinity® LOGIC 7® surround sound audio system, the Azera has a stereo for every level of audiophile. Turn your Azera Limited into a symphony hall. 12 speakers, 605 watts of power, and Infinity LOGIC 7® surround sound processing. Plus AM/FM/XM® Satellite Radio.

EVEN THE HEAD RESTRAINTS HELP PROTECT YOU.

You can be the most skilled driver in the world. Your car can have a long list of active safety features. But there's still no guarantee that the front of another driver's car won't end up into the rear of yours. Rear-end collisions can result in whiplash, an injury that's likely to stay with you long after your rear bumper is repaired.

EFFORTLESS RESPONSE.

Drive the Azera and you'll notice the sensation of having deep reserves of power—its V6 engine includes technologies like Continuously Variable Valve Timing and a Variable Intake System, and is generously sized to produce strong torque at low engine speeds. Details like iridium-tipped spark plugs and a high 10.4:1 compression ratio further enhance the engine's sensitivity to your every request. Adding to this responsiveness is a six-speed automatic transmission that is adept at choosing the right gear at the right time. If you want to make those decisions yourself, just move the gear selector over to the SHIFTRONIC® gate for added control. The Azera's feel of unruffled composure stems from the engine's high refinement when doing its work. The links and sprockets on the maintenance-free timing chain were reshaped and vital components in the engine and transmission were stiffened, not just to reduce noise but also to make the sounds you do hear more pleasant to the ear. Like an orchestra, every piece in the ensemble is in perfect tune.

GRACE UNDER PRESSURE.

Even if you don't choose a luxury sedan based on how fast it speeds around a corner, that doesn't mean you don't enjoy feeling in control as you power through the occasional winding road. The Azera's engineers had a litany of goals when tuning the Azera's suspension, including stability at highway speeds and an ease of maneuverability at lower speeds. The Azera features a caster angle of five degrees. That may sound like technical minutiae, but it can significantly impact real-world driving by creating a more connected feel through the steering wheel and by increasing stability at highway speeds. A double-wishbone front suspension design was selected for its ability to provide more consistent grip over uneven surfaces, while also shrinking the car's turning circle. Our engineers wanted to reduce the Azera's environmental impact which, in turn, reduces its running costs. To further increase fuel economy, Hyundai engineers designed an exterior with a drag coefficient of just 0.29.

WHY ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MATTERS.

The brain is an amazing instrument—it has a lightning-quick ability to sense danger. Unfortunately for us, in the time it takes the brain to send a signal through the neural networks and down to your braking foot, well, a lot can happen. But ESC takes only a fraction of a second to detect when things go awry.5 Based on how hard or how quickly you steer, a veritable army of sensors—which measure yaw, lateral G-force, steering wheel angle and the speed of all four wheels—determines whether your intended path and your actual path are in sync.

THE THINKING SEDAN'S BRAKING SYSTEM.

Sometimes people don't brake hard enough. The Azera is equipped with solutions and systems that work together to help in either situation.