The 2001 XG is Hyundai's entry into the luxury sedan market.

New this fall from Hyundai Motor America is the XG, a full-size four-door, five-passenger sedan targeted at the upper middle sedan segment. Larger than Hyundai's Sonata, the front-wheel-drive XG will be available in both 2.5- and 3.0-L V6 models with a 4/5-speed automatic transmission. The XG is also being marketed in Korea as the XG Grandeur.

Among the car's standard features are four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, projector beam headlights, 15-in alloy wheels with Michelin "V" rated tires, leather seating, a trip computer, and driver and passenger front air bags. An occupant sensor prevents the passenger-side airbag from deploying if the seat is unoccupied. Side air bags are optional, as is a power sunroof.

The XG's 3.0-L V6 dual overhead cam (DOHC) engine develops 143 kW (192 hp) at 6000 rpm and 241 N¥m (178 lb¥ft) at 4000 rpm. The 2.5-L DOHC model achieves 126 kW (163 hp) at 6000 rpm and 213 N¥m (157 lb¥ft) at 4100 rpm. The engine is mounted transversely and has a variable intake system and anti-vibration balance shaft. Overall dimensions for the sedan are 4864 mm (192 in) long; 1826 mm (72 in) wide; and 1419 mm (56 in) high. Wheelbase is 2750 mm (109 in).

The XG's "H-matic" transmission has no clutch but allows the driver to manually shift through the transmission range and is said to be fully adaptive, adjusting to individual driving styles. According to the company, the transmission utilizes new neuro-fuzzy logic control technology that greatly enhances performance by using a feedback loop to improve shifting and conserve fuel at the same time. Compared to the 4-speed automatic transmission, the 5-speed has 6% more passing power with 9% better fuel efficiency and a 1-dB reduction of interior noise.

The XG's front suspension features independent double wishbones with an anti-roll bar; the rear features fully independent multi-link with struts, coil springs, and anti-roll bar; upper A arm, 1 trailing link and 2 lateral links per side. Nitrogen gas-filled shocks are used at all wheels, and the front shocks have special low-velocity control valves to provide high-speed ride control without sacrificing smoothness.

Disc brakes with a four-wheel, four-sensor, four-channel antilock braking system (ABS) that electronically distributes brake force for better stopping on wet surfaces are standard, as is an electronic traction control system that controls brakes and the engine throttle control valve to simultaneously prevent slipping and skidding.

Standard features include a six-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo system, power door locks, heated exterior mirrors, an eight-way adjustable power driver's seat with two memory positions, and a power passenger seat.

David Molter

AEI October 2000