Hyundai Motor Company launches 'The New Grandeur'... infuses 40 years of heritage with SDV technology

\r\n\r\n[Financial News] Hyundai Motor Company officially launched its midsize sedan, 'The New Grandeur,' on the 14th. It is a facelift model introduced about three years and five months after the seventh-generation Grandeur debuted in November 2022. Since the first-generation model in 1986, the Grandeur has been a key name in Korea's premium sedan market for 40 years, and this facelift aims to push the model toward software- and electrification-driven change.
Despite being a facelift, the model is being praised for the scale of its changes. Hyundai Motor Company has applied its first next-generation infotainment platform, Pleos Connect, as well as the first next-generation hybrid system for a sedan. More than 30,000 people also signed up for pre-launch notifications.
The most notable change is the shift toward a Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV). Hyundai Motor Company has installed Pleos Connect, based on Android Automotive OS (AAOS), for the first time in its lineup. The LLM-based AI agent, Gleo AI, supports vehicle control through continuous conversation, along with travel itinerary recommendations and knowledge searches. Through a dedicated app marketplace, users can also download and use third-party apps such as video and music streaming services and games. Hyundai Motor Group plans to roll out Pleos Connect sequentially to about 20 million vehicles by 2030.
The exterior keeps the existing proportions but refines the details. The front end features a shark nose shape emphasized by a front overhang extended by 15 mm, along with a slimmer Seamless Horizon Lamp and slim headlamps. The overall length is 5,050 mm. A hidden antenna has been added to the side for the first time in a Hyundai sedan. Inside, the cabin is centered around a 17-inch central display, and a new color, Artisanal Burgundy, has been added.
The hybrid model adopts a next-generation system that combines the P2 hybrid architecture and the P1 motor in parallel. Detailed specifications will be released after certification by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). For the first time in a hybrid sedan in this class, second-row reclining and ventilated seats have also been included. The Hybrid Stay Mode allows climate control and infotainment use without engine operation. Industry watchers expect initial delivery waits could stretch from six months to a year.
A number of new convenience and safety features have also been added. These include the Smart Vision Roof, which adjusts roof transparency across six zones; Pedal Misapplication Safety Assist (PMSA), a first for an internal combustion engine vehicle; and Memory Reverse Assist (MRA), which remembers parking trajectories and automatically controls steering when reversing. The power air vents are linked with Pleos Connect and support four airflow modes. The Electronically Controlled Suspension with Road Preview (ECS) has been expanded from 20-inch wheels to 19-inch wheel specifications, and Highway Body Motion Control (HBC), which suppresses vertical body movement at high speeds, has also been newly applied.
Prices start at 41.85 million won for the 2.5 gasoline model, 44.29 million won for the 3.5 gasoline model, 43.31 million won for the 3.5 LPG model, and 48.64 million won for the hybrid model, based on a 3.5% individual consumption tax rate. Final hybrid pricing will be announced after the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment completes its notice. An exhibition and purchase consultation event will also be held at Famille Station at Shinsegae Gangnam through the 17th.
A Hyundai Motor Company official said, "The New Grandeur is the culmination of the Grandeur brand heritage built over the past 40 years, perfectly blending the values of the SDV era and electrification." The official added, "By once again setting the standard for refined mobility and intelligent transportation, we will further strengthen the reputation of Korea's flagship sedan."
eastcold@fnnews.com Kim Dong-chan Reporter