Cars service manual

2006 Hyundai Grandeur

Hyundais model line-up is expanding at a rapid rate and the latest vehicle to reach our shores is the Grandeur, a six-cylinder family-size sedan with luxury features.

Taking on the Australian-made family "sixes" is a big task and Hyundai has perhaps wisely positioned the Grandeur a little more upmarket from the base Falcons, Commodores, Magnas and Camrys that fleets tend to buy.

Two Grandeur models are available; one is simply called the Grandeur and the other is the Grandeur XG. Prices are $33,990 for the Grandeur and $39,990 for the Grandeur XG.




Both models are powered by the same 3.0 litre DOHC V6 engine and both have a five speed automatic transmission with a "Tiptronic" manual mode.

Standard equipment common to both models includes four wheel disc brakes with ABS, dual front airbags with a passenger presence detector, air conditioning and a six-speaker stereo with cassette deck and CD player.

Hyundai has a modest 1000-a-year sales target for Grandeur, and offers it with its traditional 5-year/130,000km warranty and, in this case, 24/7 roadside assistance.
There are two Grandeur equipment levels: V6 and Limited, and Hyundai claims they are the most powerful prestige cars under $50,000 with naturally-aspirated engines. Prices are $42,990 and $46,990 respectively.

In profile, the new Grandeur presents a Mercedes-Benz CLS-style sloping roofline, Tiburon curves around the flanks and definite a BMW 5/7-Series tabletop "Bangle boot".

The car looks good front and rear, too, especially the upper-spec Limited model, with its standard Xenon headlamps and LED tail-lights. Badge spotters will notice that the word "Hyundai" doesnt appear on the rear of the car. "Grandeur" and "Limited", yes; "Hyundai", no. There is, however, the corporate badge.



The nose is fairly blunt and upright, but -- one of the most important tests -- it looks good in the rear-view mirror. Attention to aerodynamics -- including to the cars undercarriage -- has yielded an impressive 0.29 Cd number.

FEATURES

Both Grandeur models come well equipped. Both get such niceties as leather trim, electronically-adjusted seats (10-way on the drivers side, four-way on the passengers), dual-zone automatic climate control air-conditioning, cruise control, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, trip computer, power windows, powered and heated side mirrors, reverse parking sensors and keyless entry with alarm.

The audio system comprises US-made Infinity speakers linked to a MP3-disc-compatible, six-disc stacker/radio with, curiously, a cassette player for, were told, "yuppie tragic" tape collections. Hyundais straight-shooting product planning manager -- and the man behind the two-wheel-drive Tucson City and Melbourne motor show-friendly Getz SXi ("sexy" in txt) and Getz Protectz safety pack -- Ben Hershman says the Sonatas flatter-faced, twin-DIN unit just didnt work in the Grandeurs curvier dash.

The system sounds good, too, with the EQ switch delivering the kind of one-touch adjustment we like on the move. Sound quality comes from eight speakers all up, including a good-sized unit centre-dash, crisp tweeters left and right of the dash and a sub-woofer in the rear.

Grandeur Limited adds auto-levelling, auto-on/off Xenon headlamps, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, powered tilt-slide sunroof with reactive solar glass, heated front seats and door mirrors, four-way electrically-adjustable steering wheel and two-setting integrated memory system for the drivers door, mirrors and steering wheel, and an electrically-operated rear blind.
Fit and finish throughout the car is good. The exterior door handles are contemporary pull-out style; inside, the door pulls are solid-but-prosaic items flanked by brightwork rings. You can see and feel the improved attention to detail in things like the soft damping on the glovebox door, overhead grab handles and cupholders.

MECHANICAL

Both Grandeur V6 and Limited share a 3.8-litre twin overhead cam V6 -- a larger-capacity version of the Sonatas 3.3 Lambda engine, with continuously variable valve timing and variable intake system. It is matched to a five-speed automatic transmission with Hyundais Selectronic sequential manual mode. Again, the transmission is from Sonata, but beefed-up to cope with the bigger-engines greater torque.

Speaking of which... On tap is a claimed 194kW and 348Nm, available via a fly-by-wire electronic throttle.

Left to its own devices, the automatic does the job well but, like the Grandeurs steering and suspension, only until it is really pushed, when changes can become slurred.

Suspension is independent all round via double wishbones at the front, and a multi-link system at the rear. Interestingly, the dampers are German-made Sachs units. Hyundai Australia says it was involved in the Grandeurs suspension tune.

Brakes are good-sized discs -- ventilated fronts and solid rears -- and backed up with an anti-lock system, electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and brake assistance (BAS). Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and traction control systems are standard on both models.
Kerb weight is 1636kg for the Grandeur V6 and 1645kg for the Limited, and Hyundai claims 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.2sec. City-biased ADR/81/01 fuel consumption is 10.8lt/100km and fuel tank capacity is 75 litres. Fuel is regular 91 octane.

Wheels are 17-inch alloys shod with Korean-made Kumho or Hankook 235/55 tyres. And, put a notch on the wall, under the big boot floor is a full-size alloy wheel and tyre. Increasingly, thats something you dont see every day.

Summary

Though the new Hyundai Grandeur doesnt match the driving accomplishments of competitors from companies such as Toyota and Mitsubishi, it does provide the levels of quietness, smoothness, comfort and equipment that luxury buyers expect.

Probably the biggest task for the Grandeur will be to entice buyers away from the other proven performers in the market place. The cars competitive pricing, plus its five year warranty, should help in this regard.

Test vehicle supplied by Hyundai Automotive Distributors Australia Pty Ltd.