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Hyundai Grandmaster concept could preview new flagship full-sized SUV

Hyundai just debuted the HDC-2 Grandmaster SUV concept at the Busan Motor Show, a follow-up to the Le Fil Rouge concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show this year. The Grandmaster provides a second take on the "Sensuous Sportiness" design language embodied by the Le Fil Rouge, and previews the direction we'll see Hyundai's products take. Industry observers expect the Grandmaster to become an eight-seater SUV at the top of the carmaker's range, perhaps to be called Palisade. The Grandmaster, whose name refers to a champion chess player, represents the nexus of a host of Hyundai initiatives. There's the name itself, a metaphorical reference to the brand's car and SUV overhaul. In a press release, the company wrote, "The concept vehicle is named to indicate that just as the sum of all chess pieces completes the game of chess, all forthcoming Hyundai vehicles will come to form a harmonious vehicle line-up demonstrating the Hyundai Look while each maintains distinctive character and role." On top of that, Hyundai design director Luc Donckerwolke recently called the Le Fil Rouge concept the "Queen," and said that the following concept would be the "Bishop." There's the new design direction, which takes over from Fluidic Sculpture, which Hyundai hopes will create a more emotional bond with buyers. Sensuous Sportiness combines "proportion, architecture, styling, and technology," and design chief SangYup Lee wants it to move the carmaker "from being a brand that provides a great value, we will aspire to also become a brand that is widely beloved by our customers." There's the fact that Hyundai has been revamping its SUV game for the U.S. by introducing the Kona, changing the name of the Santa Fe Sport to the Santa Fe, and rolling out the long-wheelbase seven-seater Santa Fe XL. Dividends might have started paying out last month, with the carmaker posting its first year-on-year monthly sales gain of 2018 thanks to the Kona. A production Grandmaster — which seems an eventuality based on winter spy shots of an unknown Hyundai earlier this year — would be a three-row, eight-seater replacing the Santa Fe XL and re-establishing Hyundai in the full-size segment. The predicted Palisade name comes from a Hyundai trademark application filed earlier this year. As a sibling to the Kia Telluride, or perhaps riding on a revised Genesis G90/Kia K900 architecture, the Grandmaster/Palisade could end up on dealer lots as soon as next year, as a 2020 model.

Hyundai Veloster Turbos strut their SEMA stuff

Hyundai brought a pair of very yellow Velosters to this year's SEMA Show. The first is the car you see above - the Veloster Hylighter. Built in a partnership with aftermarket accessory supplier EGR Group, it's based on a Veloster Turbo, but has been extensively modified for its trip to Vegas.
The paint, a custom color called Yellowcake, a type of uranium powder used to prepare fuel for nuclear reactors, certainly catches the eye. And if for some reason it doesn't, black graphics and a LED light bar on the roof most certainly will. An EGR widebody kit has been fitted for an even bigger visual impact, while the DPE three-piece wheels add some flair. The cabin sports a pair of Takata racing seats and harnesses, as well as a roll cage from Creations n' Chrome.
The engine is an uprated version of the turbocharged, 1.6-liter engine found in the standard Veloster Turbo, but it's been fitted with an AEM intake and a MagnaFlow exhaust, for a bit of extra oomph. A coil-over suspension from ARK, an AEM strut-tower bar and Toyo Proxes R888 tires afford a bit more handling potential for the VT, while a Brembo brake package can bring things to a rapid halt.

2014 Hyundai Azera gives you more for less

The Azera is sort of the forgotten Hyundai. Despite just having rolled out the new version a couple of years ago, the Korean automaker hasn't been able to move them very quickly. Where the smaller Sonata and Elantra sell in the tens of thousands each month, the fullsize Azera barely reaches that in a year. In fact it's Hyundai's second slowest-selling model, behind the flagship Equus. But Hyundai's not resigning itself to letting Azeras sit around on dealer lots. Thus, the company is actually reducing the car's price while increasing the array of standard equipment.
Now starting at $31,000, the base 2014 Azera now comes with a six-inch color LCD, backup camera, blind-spot mirror and three years of Assurance Connected Care services. Spring for the $34,750 Azera Limited and you get an eight-inch display, electroluminescent gauges, LCD trip computer and power folding mirrors.
Despite the increased level of specification, the Azera is now $1,250 cheaper than the previous-year model, while still offering the highest specific output and most front-seat room in its class. Scope out the details in the press release below and the fresh batch of images in the gallery above for a closer look.