Hyundai hat-trick

By DAVID LINKLATER

Hyundai New Zealand is going for a hat-trick of new models and is set to launch its first full-size luxury sedan, its first seven-seater people-mover and its first four-wheel-drive.

The Grandeur XG is a 3-litre V6 sedan scheduled for New Zealand release in May. It's an unashamedly large, equipment-laden front-wheel-drive four-door in the style of the Nissan Maxima, Mitsubishi Diamante and forthcoming Toyota Avalon.

However, the lavish specification promised for the Grandeur even overshadows the car's Japanese rivals on a couple of counts.

Hyundai New Zealand general manager Philip Eustace says that the newcomer will have "absolutely everything" in the way of equipment, including dual front and side airbags, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes with electronic force distribution, climate control air conditioning with rear ducting, full leather trim, electrically operated seats with memory function, trip computer, eight-disc CD changer and an electronic chromic rear-vision mirror which adjusts its tint for ambient light.

The Grandeur is based on the platform of the Japanese-market Mitsubishi Debonair, and uses Hyundai-modified versions of its 3-litre V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission. Peak power is 142kW at 6000rpm, and the automatic transmission features a semi-automatic sports-shift and electronic traction control.

Pricing is yet to be announced, but it's likely that the Grandeur - which will be sold in New Zealand in just one model, the XG - will undercut top-specification versions of the Diamante and Maxima.

Set for launch at the same time as the Grandeur is the oddly named Trajet people-mover, which is based on the platform of the model Sonata, and shares its 2.5-litre V6 engine with the flagship version of Hyundai's family sedan.

The Trajet is a six-plus-one seater, with two captain's chairs in the front and centre rows. The bench seat in the third row can carry two adults, or three at a pinch.

A high level of equipment is assured, although Hyundai has been done few favours of late by its rival distributors in the area of pricing.

The Kia Carnival V6 costs just $39,995, while the all-new Honda Odyssey has just been launched from $42,000 for the 2.3-litre four-cylinder version.

Last, but certainly not least for Hyundai, will be the stylish Santa Fe, an off-roader in the mould of the Honda CR-V and Land Rover Freelander There will be two powerplants offered with the Santa Fe - a 2.41itre four-cylinder unit or a 2.7-litre V6. Five-speed manual transmission will be standard, with the option of a four-speed automatic.

Both are single range only, but the car features full-time four-wheel-drive with a 60/40 torque split between front and rear.

The Santa Fe, which made its first public appearance in production form at the recent Geneva Motor Show, is Hyundai's first bespoke four-wheel-drive, although not its first experience with off-roaders.

The company has sold more than 250,000 Gallopers - a mildy made-over first-generation Mitsubishi Pajero - in Korea since 1991.

The Santa Fe is not likely to reach New Zealand until the last quarter of the year.