Hyundai Embraces Luxury with the all new 2006 Hyundai Azera

Hyundai Embraces Luxury By Kelly Toepke Date posted: 10-24-2005 "Koreans are never satisfied," said Shi Hong Choe. "We are always working, always improving. If I see something out of place, I cannot rest until it's corrected." It's employees like Mr. Choe, Hyundai's senior vice president of vehicle test and development, who are enabling the Korean automaker to challenge the Japanese Big Three — Toyota, Honda and Nissan — one carefully engineered new model at a time. Hot on the heels of the successful redesign of the midsize Sonata is Hyundai's new flagship sedan, the 2006 Hyundai Azera. Replacing the outgoing Hyundai XG350, the Azera is a modern sedan that should allow Mr. Choe to rest easier. A polished new look, luxurious interior, and a lengthy list of standard safety equipment provide the Azera with the right hardware to take on Toyota's popular full-size Avalon sedan. Quickest Hyundai Ever Under the big Hyundai's hood lies a new ultralow emissions (ULEV) DOHC 3.8-liter, V6 engine with continuously variable valve timing (CVVT). Rated at 263 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque, this refined V6 is big brother to the Sonata's smooth 3.3-liter V6. A well-timed five-speed automatic transmission with a gated shifter comes standard with the single-engine offering. The shifter allows you to shift gears manually, but the engine is so strong and the transmission so responsive, it isn't necessary. Hyundai says the front-wheel-drive Azera is the quickest Hyundai ever built, with a manufacturer reported 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds. If that's true, it'll be quicker than the last Avalon we tested, which hit 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. We haven't put the Azera through our own instrumented tests yet, but it does feel quick out on the open road. Down below, the Azera's all-new platform is a stretched version of the Sonata's and it has 68-percent greater body stiffness than the XG350. A healthy dose of unique Azera bits combine with similar Sonata attachment points to help keep the cost down. Sixteen-inch wheels secure the Azera SE's four corners, while the Limited gets 17-inch wheels with P235/55VR17 Michelin tires. Its dynamics were tuned in Korea as well as at Hyundai's super-secret test facility in the Mojave Desert. Although its steering is a touch light, the four-wheel disc brakes are strong and pedal feel is above average. At 3,629 pounds, this large, heavy sedan still needs to be guided instead of flung through tight turns, but the Azera is much more athletic than its spongy predecessor. Mr. Choe must smile when he feels the Azera's firm grip at speed. We did. Safety First Determined to become an industry leader in the standard application of safety technologies, Hyundai is spreading airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) across its lineup and the Azera is no exception. The luxury sedan receives two additional airbags to Hyundai's typical six-count for a total of eight, plus standard traction control. Standard antilock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) help bring the Azera to a safe stop. Hyundai claims that the Azera is projected to receive the highest crash test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Lex-dai or Hyun-us Hyundai admits to setting its sights on the Toyota Avalon, but the Azera is so luxurious inside, challenging the Lexus ES 330 isn't out of the question. The Azera's center stack is clean and elegant with wood and aluminum trim galore, and there's no cheap plastic to be found. Instead, quality touches like a thick headliner, fabric-wrapped door pillars and triple door seals help the Azera envelope passengers in quiet comfort. Contrast stitching along the soft leather seat covers help to increase the Azera's style quotient. With nearly 44 inches of legroom in the front and over 38 inches for rear-seat passengers, the Azera offers a roomy ride with exceptionally comfortable seats that provide solid support underneath their softly padded exterior. Efficient packaging has maximized total passenger volume, allowing an increase of 7 cubic feet over the XG350. But if the classy, comfortable interior doesn't make you think Lexus, the lengthy feature list will. An SE gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power front seats, a 60/40-split rear seat to increase cargo capacity to 16.6 cubic feet, dual automatic climate control, and a CD/MP3 player. The Limited adds larger wheels, heated leather seats in a choice of three colors, a wood grain steering wheel, a power rear sunshade, and an electroluminescent instrument cluster. Add the Premium Package and you'll get a power sunroof and a 300-watt in-dash six-disc Infinity sound system. An Ultimate Package (remember, we're still under $30,000) adds a power-adjustable tilt-and-telescopic steering column and adjustable pedals, rain-sensing wipers and folding side mirrors. All for the Low, Low Price With similar horsepower and torque ratings from their V6 power plants and comparable interior features, the major distinction between the Azera and the Avalon is the price. Although the Azera's pricing hasn't been fixed and won't be until the sedan hits Hyundai showrooms in November, preliminary pricing suggests it'll have a clear advantage. The base model Azera SE is expected to enter the market around $25,000, with top-of-the-line Limited trim starting near $27,000. Even better, Hyundai officials claim a fully loaded Azera Limited will remain under $30,000. By comparison, the entry-level Avalon XL starts at $27,165 and climbs to $34,355 for the Limited sedan. Combine the low price with Hyundai's acclaimed 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, and the Azera presents a pretty compelling package. Winning Package Hyundai's only concern should be luring consumers in for a test-drive. Although the company is playing to win with the 2006 Hyundai Azera, it might take some time to drag consumers out of their Japanese-car safety zone and ask them to risk a Korean alternative. Hopefully incentives like the world's best warranty; a low, low price; and an increasing track record for reliability will drive the Azera toward a place in the spotlight. And allow Mr. Choe to take a well-earned vacation. Source:Edmunds.com Always remember to visit for latest deals available Gary Rome Hyundai , Hyundai Accessory Store and Hyundai Performance Auto Parts.

Hyundai models top crash tests

Hyundai models top crash tests Korean maker's Sonata and Tucson, Pontiac's G6 coupe score well in passenger protection. Tuesday, November 22, 2005 By Ken Thomas / Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Vehicles made by Hyundai Motor Co., Honda Motor Co., DaimlerChrysler AG and Subaru of America Inc. earned top honors in new crash tests of sport utility vehicles, minivans and sedans. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave five stars Monday in front and side-impact protection to the Hyundai Sonata sedan and Tucson SUV, Honda Odyssey minivan, Mercedes-Benz ML Class SUV and Subaru B9 Tribeca SUV. The Pontiac G6 two-door coupe received the top score in rollover protection, with the government estimating a 9 percent chance of vehicle rollover during a crash. The Mitsubishi Lancer, meanwhile, fared worst in side-impact protection among the vehicles; the four-door version was the only model to get two stars on side-impact protection for the driver. The score was based on previous testing and denotes a 21 to 25 percent chance of serious injury in a real-world crash. Dan Irvin, a Mitsubishi spokesman, noted that it was an old test and said that side curtain air bags will become standard equipment on the vehicle in the 2007 model year. The Lancer received top scores in frontal protection. NHTSA typically conducts new tests on vehicles when they are redesigned. The majority of vehicles reviewed received either four or five stars in frontal- and side-impact protection. In addition to the vehicles that earned five stars on both tests, other top-performing vehicles included the 2006 Volkswagen Passat, Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Dakota, Nissan Armada and Ford Freestar. For frontal tests, five stars means there is a 10 percent or less chance of serious injury and four stars estimates an 11 percent to 20 percent chance of serious injury. NHTSA conducts the front-impact test at 35 mph. Always remember to visit Gary Rome Hyundai , Hyundai Accessory Store and Hyundai Performance Auto Parts.

HYUNDAI WILL BROADEN PEOPLE-MOVER LINEUP

HYUNDAI WILL BROADEN PEOPLE-MOVER LINEUP WITH ENTOURAGE MINIVAN October 27, 2005 Vehicle expands line which will include All-new 7-passenger SUV and 6-passenger cross-over Hyundai Motor America announced today that it will introduce the Hyundai Entourage minivan to the U.S. market in spring 2006. The Entourage will later be joined by two other all-new vehicles with six- and seven-passenger seating – an innovative six-passenger cross-over, and a seven-passenger unibody SUV – giving Hyundai a substantially increased presence in these market segments. The company has decided to move ahead with its original plan to introduce the minivan because of demand changes in the U.S. market. To better capitalize on this demand, Hyundai also increased the level of product differentiation to make it a better fit in the automaker’s expanding lineup. “After we locked in our large cross-over and upper-midsize SUV plans earlier this year, we continued to study the minivan segment,” said Robert Cosmai, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “The surge in gas prices, which we believe is not short term, and the resulting movement away from truck-based full-size SUVs has given additional life to the traditional minivan segment. Surveys show the number of consumers moving from full-size SUVs to minivans is up over 40 percent. So we gave our product development teams in Korea and the U.S. the challenge to ensure the Hyundai minivan would better capture our brand identity and sufficiently differentiate us from our sister company’s product. We think they’ve done a great job, especially given the tight timing we’ve had to work with.” The new Hyundai Entourage, which will debut as a 2007 model year product in mid-2006, was introduced to dealers yesterday at Hyundai’s annual dealer show. The all-new minivan will lead its segment in standard safety equipment, with Electronic Stability Control, 6 airbags, and anti-whiplash front seat head restraints. It shares its 3.8-liter V-6 and sophisticated 5-speed automatic transmission with Hyundai’s new premium sedan, the Azera. It will also be the first minivan to offer power sliding doors as standard equipment. “At Hyundai, we believe the equipment that people really want should be standard,” said John Krafcik, Hyundai’s Vice-President of Product Development and Strategic Planning. “We’ve done it with safety equipment throughout our lineup, we’ll be doing it with satellite radio beginning later next year. With the Entourage we’re making power sliding doors standard, as our research shows more than 80 percent of minivan owners want this feature. These moves give us tremendous economies of scale, as well as delighted customers." Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 675 Hyundai dealerships nationwide. Always remember to visit Gary Rome Hyundai , Hyundai Accessory Store and Hyundai Performance Auto Parts.

HYUNDAI HAS ASIAN AUTOMAKERS IN ITS HEADLIGHTS

2004 HYUNDAI XG 350L THE BASICS Price:$25,599 to $25,688 Fuel economy:21.1 miles per gallon (Globe test) THE EARLY LINE Meant to compete against Toyota Camry, Honda Accord. Should set its sights higher. THE SPECIFICS Seating:5 Horsepower:194 Torque:216 lb.-ft. Overall length:191.9 inches Wheelbase:108.3 inches Height:55.9 inches Width:71.9 inches Curb weight:3,650 lbs. THE SKINNY It's hard to believe that so much content gets put into a car at this price. Of course, that is where Toyota and Honda have gone in recent years and, following those bread crumbs, Hyundai and Kia are tracking the same route through the forest. Nice Touch: You get a full spare tire with an alloy wheel. What a concept. Annoyance: For a car this big, the trunk feels a bit squished. Maybe that's the price you pay for the full-size spare. Watch for: Whether the Koreans can overcome, as the Japanese did, persistent questions about quality. Further, will a lineup of dealerships that was withering be brought back to life by an infusion of product? HYUNDAI HAS ASIAN AUTOMAKERS IN ITS HEADLIGHTS September 28, 2003 BY ROYAL FORD The Boston Globe It was the great Leroy "Satchel" Paige, literally blacklisted from baseball for years, who uttered the immortal line: "Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you." Now comes a modern affirmation. Even as American companies look into their rear-view mirrors and see Toyota passing Daimler-Chrysler in August to assume a Big Three position, so too are the Asian companies looking behind them. Here come the Koreans. My advice: Be afraid, be very afraid. Hyundai, and its lesser sibling, KIA, are following the Toyota/Honda model, circa 1975, and producing very nice cars at very low prices. Of course, the dismissive translation of the KIA acronym was once, "Killed in Action." That begs that Ford once stood for "Found On the Road Dead" or that Honda and Toyota were called "Japanese Junk." Today, the Koreans back their cars with 100,000-mile, 10-year power train warranties. J.D. Power rated KIA, in 2002, its most improved model in its Associates Initial Quality Study. KIA, which sold 12,000 cars in the United States in 1994, and which had only two models three years ago, now has seven - including key SUV and minivan models - and sales around 250,000 annually. Hyundai, which sold just over 90,000 cars in 1998, is approaching half a million in annual sales for 2003. Emblematic of the Korean drive is a car many thought they might never see: a midlevel luxury sedan called the XG 350, in base and L (as tested) models. Make no mistake. I could seat you in this car, emblems covered, and you would think you were in a Lincoln LS, a Toyota Avalon, even an upclass Infiniti. From the outside, you see a Lincoln grille, European sidelines, even a hint of Maybach. The vertically ribbed grille is Lincoln. The three-slatted lower fascia, with fog lights embedded, is European class. Following the Toyota lead, in particular, Hyundai is pushing content with this car. Start with an upgraded 3.5-liter V-6 that delivers 194 horsepower - as much as you can legally use, folks - and a quiet, smooth ride. It's not an Autobahn burner, but we're not allowed to drive 150 miles per hour here anyway. Standard equipment (and we're talking less than $25,000 here) includes reading lights in the rear pillars, hydraulic piston trunk hinges, a garage door opener, cargo net, power leather seats, automatic climate control, side impact air bags, and rear seat air conditioning vents. Go all the way up (by about a grand) to $25,000 and you also get a moonroof, heated seats, upgraded wheels, a better sound system, tilt-down mirrors for reverse gear, and faux wood trim that sure could have fooled me. On the road, it was a bit heavy; cost-cutting in Korean cars is often achieved by using iron in engine blocks and suspension systems. The ride, however, was whisper quiet, heavily stable. There was a definite bit of understeer - front-wheel-drive and weight help bring that on - yet the car was a nice mix of European stiffness and American soft ride. No floating, but no energetic, chattering feedback on bumps, either. If I were building an affordable, basic sedan - Toyota Camry, Honda Accord - I'd worry about a car like this, at this price. And if I were building an upscale sedan - Lincoln LS, Toyota Avalon - I'd be worried as well. Always remember to visit Gary Rome Hyundai , Hyundai Accessory Store and Hyundai Performance Auto Parts.

How to Pick a Car Dealer

Once you've been bitten by the car-buying bug, deciding on where to shop can be almost as hard as choosing the make, model, color and options. Selecting the right dealer can be a bit nerve-wracking, sure. But just as you'd like that new car smell to last a while, keep in mind that a reputable dealer wants to create a lasting relationship with you. In this information age, make your first stops on the keyboard. Sales people actually like customers who've surfed the web for info like dealer cost and vehicle features. It's then just a matter of taking you for a test drive, and making sure the vehicle is a comfortable fit. Visit the websites of potential dealers to see if they're kept up to date, or is listings linger long after the cars have disappeared from the lot. Check out their Customer Service Index (CSI) that rates buyer satisfaction. Do some low-tech research too. On-the-street reputation can be just as useful a buying guide as any computer data. Ask relatives or friends if they had a good experience at a particular dealership. If you see the dealer's nameplate on a car in a parking lot, strike up a conversation with the owner, and ask if he or she would buy a car there again. Expect the salesperson to be up front. A dealer interested in earning your trust will fully disclose everything about the transaction. Be ready to walk out if they won't discuss anything but "What if we could do it for this much a month?" Take a seat in the waiting room, and just listen to what others are saying. Being a fly on the wall can give you a whole different perspective on the way a place treats its customers, long after the new car smell has faded. Is this a hands-on dealership with the owner actually on the premises each day, or off golfing at some Florida resort? Do they provide Parts and Service, or just parts of service? Is the service department open during hours that will suit your schedule, like evenings or Saturdays? Do they offer loaners so you're not stuck while your car's in the shop? Or shuttle service to pick you up at home or at work? Finally, you expect the dealer to be honest - so be honest with yourself. What's your com- fort level when you enter this showroom? Are you greeted professionally, or are you besieged with high-pressure tactics like "What can I do to put you in this car today?" Do you feel on edge because you're being steered toward a certain vehicle, or does the salesperson genuinely listen to what you have to say, and then make recommendations to let you do the choosing? A little research and awareness on your part at the outset can smooth out any bumps in your car-buying ride. Successful dealers know that repeat customers and referrals are built on trust, and trust is built by treating you with respect, both in the showroom and far down the road.

Always remember to visit for latest deals available Gary Rome Hyundai , Hyundai Accessory Store and Hyundai Performance Auto Parts.

News from Gary Rome

Hyundai Dealer Gary Rome Hyundai HYUNDAI SONATA WINS EDMUNDS.COM INSIDE LINE MID-SIZE COMPARISON TEST, BEATING TOYOTA CAMRY AND HONDA ACCORD IN A "LANDSLIDE" FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., July 18, 2005- The all-new 2006 Hyundai Sonata beat Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, its primary competitors in the mid-size sedan segment, and took first place in an Edmunds.com Inside Line comparison test yesterday. Edmunds.com reported, "In the end, it wasn't even close . . . in the areas of performance and features, the Hyundai won in a landslide . . . Bottom Line: With the 2006 Sonata, Hyundai convincingly beats the long-standing class leaders in nearly every important category." Edmunds.com is a leading automotive Web site providing consumers with valuable information on the industry's top vehicles. To read the full review, click here. "We were looking for the family sedan priced under $22,000 with the best combination of passenger accommodations, safety and luxury features, performance, overall quality and value," said John DiPietro, Road Test Editor at Edmunds.com Inside Line. "Taking all of these factors into account, the Hyundai Sonata came out on top." 2006 Sonatas began rolling off the assembly line of Hyundai's new manufacturing plant in Montgomery, Ala., in April. The all-new Sonata was designed specifically to meet the needs of the American consumer and is the product of three years of intensive collaborative development at Hyundai's global R&D operations, including those in Michigan and California. It is the first and only mid-size sedan sold in America to offer one of the industry's most effective and sophisticated safety technologies, Electronic Stability Control, as standard equipment. Edmunds.com praised the all-new Sonata for its roomy interior (classified by the U.S. government as a "large car," a full class above Camry and Accord), smooth V6 engine, segment-leading standard safety technology, and strong value. "In the real world, the Sonata shines. The well-tuned suspension smothers the bumps and keeps its composure in turns without drama, and its tuning falls between the firm Accord and cushy Camry. There's plenty of power for effortless merging and passing, and the brakes are a strong ally in the daily grind. And let's not forget the standard stability control, unusual in the segment, and the huge 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty." Edmunds.com concluded, "With the Sonata handily dethroning the twin kings of the family sedan segment, Hyundai has shown that, beyond a doubt, it's ready to take a starring role on the automotive stage. Nice job, Hyundai."

Always remember to visit for latest deals available Gary Rome Hyundai , Hyundai Accessory Store and Hyundai Performance Auto Parts.

Gary Rome Customer Testimonials

Gary, I would just like to let you know how very satisfied my wife and I have been on our recent purchases from Gary Rome Hyundai. I say purchases because, although not our original intention, we purchased 2 new cars from you in 2005. In March we purchased a Tucson for my wife and last month an XG350L for me. The Tucson purchase was our first experience at your dealership. Carroll Perez was our sales representative. My wife, who "hates car shopping", and I both found him to be a pleasure to work with. He was very knowledgeable, patient, personable, open and honest. He did not fit my stereotype of a car salesman and I really appreciated that fact. A few days after we bought the Tucson we had to bring it in for its inspection sticker. Carroll greeted us as we drove in and made sure that everything was taken care of. Because the car would be tied up for a little while he got us a loaner so my wife and I could go out to breakfast. We felt very important to Gary Rome Hyundai. When my son needed a new vehicle last month, I sold him my car (a 2003 Sonata by the way!), bought his and came back to Gary Rome Hyundai. to look for a replacement vehicle for myself. I went straight to Carroll. With Hyundai's rebates and the very aggressive discounting Gary Rome Hyundai. gave me I was able to leave the proud owner of a new XG350L. My second experience was easily as good as my first. My son, who came with me this time, commented afterward that he found the whole experience to be much different, better than he had expected. We are now a 3 Hyundai family and love our vehicles. I recommend Hyundais and Gary Rome to anyone who will listen. Great cars and an honest, caring dealership. Thank you Gary, for creating an environment where the customer really does feel like he comes first. Sincerely, Cliff Howard Always remember to visit for latest deals available Gary Rome Hyundai , Hyundai Accessory Store and Hyundai Performance Auto Parts.

Gary's News

Jimmy Fund Buddy $20.00 For the past seven years, Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai dealers across the country have proudly donated more than $6 million to help fund pediatric cancer research. The program was established in 1998 through the efforts of New England-area Hyundai dealers and their donations benefiting The Jimmy Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Donations are mainly generated through car sales, but dealers like Gary Rome come up with innovative ways to add their support. Now everyone can be a buddy to The Jimmy Fund and receive their own cuddly "Buddy" in return. "Buddy" has been a popular character in TV commercials and at Gary Rome Hyundai for years. Now you can have your very own Red Sox jersey Buddy and help fund pediatric cancer research. A donation of $20 gets you the cuddly Buddy and all proceeds go to The Jimmy Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. To get your own Red Sox jersey Buddy and help strike out cancer, visit their store at 1000 Main St. in Holyoke or their website at www.hyundaiaccessorystore.com today. Supplies are limited. Gary Rome Hyundai is proud to support the 17th Annual Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. For more information about Gary Rome Hyundai’s support of pediatric cancer research, and Hyundai products, please visit our website, www.garyromehyundai.com Always remember to visit for latest deals available Gary Rome Hyundai , Hyundai Accessory Store and Hyundai Performance Auto Parts.

News from Gary Rome

Gary Rome Hyundai is proud to annouce the development of www.hyundaiperformanceautoparts.com to go along with www.hyundaiaccessorystore.com. We have started to develop a all new www.garyromehyundai.com to be launch in early December. The winter is coming and we expect to sell many genuine Hyundai accessories at www.hyundaiaccessorystore.com along with the new Bill Smulo www.bseparts.com designed Hyundai performance parts at the all new www.hyundaiperformanceautoparts.com Thanks Tim Always remember to visit for latest deals available Gary Rome Hyundai , Hyundai Accessory Store and Hyundai Performance Auto Parts.

The New Azera

Unexpected. Uncompromising. Awesome. This is the never-before-seen 2006 Azera. Standard operating procedure was traded in for uncompromised engineering and style. The result is a premium high-performance luxury sedan sculpted from aluminum, leather and beautifully designed sheet metal. Check out http://www.hyundaiazera.com Always remember to visit for latest deals available Gary Rome Hyundai , Hyundai Accessory Store and Hyundai Performance Auto Parts.