Hyundai Grandeur LPG - ain't autogas grand?

© HyundaiImpressive as the car looks, we can't help but feel Hyundai's designers took the idea of drawing inspiration from Infiniti too literally

Although the Grandeur nameplate has been in use for over 30 years now (it was introduced in 1986 as a Mitsubishi-based replacement to the Ford Granada – the large European model – assembled by Hyundai as the Blue Oval's Korean subcontractor), it isn't as widely recognisable worldwide as certain other models. It was available in its third generation in Europe (as XG30), it is offered in North America (as the Azera), but otherwise it's pretty much a KDM-only (Korean domestic market) car. Still, it's alive and kicking in its home country, so that's why an LPG system is now available for the latest iteration.

In fact, the Grandeur, although a class bigger than the mid-range Sonata (it measures 4930 mm in length), is one of the most popular models bearing the stylised H on its grille – when the latest version was introduced in November 2016, 27 thousand orders were placed within just three weeks. Before a hybrid option debuts later in 2017, the autogas version is the only alternative fuel variant of the Grandeur, otherwise equipped with petrol and Diesel engines. The autogas system is combined with the 3-litre engine, mated to either 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission. The unit offers 235 PS of power and 280 Nm of torque, so performance should be above average. And the running costs? Quite the opposite!

The all-new Grandeur/Azera is born with Hyundai Motor’s ceaseless endeavour to innovate toward utter perfection, while inheriting 30 years of brand heritage from its predecessors.

Woong Chul Yang, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company and Head of R&D Centre