SA-bound Hyundai Staria is detailed
The Hyundai Motor Company has released more details of its new Staria multipurpose vehicle (MPV) line-up. With the Staria, Hyundai joins other car brands that have shifted their business focus from car maker to smart mobility solution provider, and the Staria is the first model that will come from its future purpose-built vehicles (PBVs).
Using this platform, the Hyundai
Staria is available in two- to 11-seat configurations and in two variants: Staria and Staria Premium.
Hyundai says the premium model makes no secret that the company wants a slice of the lucrative luxury bus segment.
'We are thrilled to introduce the Staria, which represents our latest efforts to spearhead the evolution of mobility, and to address emerging lifestyle needs as we adapt to new ways of living,' said Thomas Schemera, Hyundai's executive vice president and global chief marketing officer.
'The Staria is a step forward in connecting us more closely with our environments so we can get more out of our everyday lives and do more for ourselves in transit.'
The Staria will be launched in SA towards this year end.
'We are examining all configurations of the Staria – from the luxury seven-seater to the panel van version – to determine what the range in SA will consist of.
With the luxury derivative, Hyundai will enter a segment for multipurpose vehicles in the country where the brand did not compete before,' said Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive SA.
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The Staria will be offered in SA with a 2.2-litre VGT turbo-diesel engine, the same source of power used in the new Santa Fe.
This diesel engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
On the safety front, the Staria boasts six airbags, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA) and Blind-Spot CollisionAvoidance Assist (BCA).
In a situation where a passenger attempts to open the power sliding door while a rearside vehicle is passing by, Safe Exit Assist (SEA) prevents the door from opening.
Rear Occupant Alert (ROA), available in select markets, uses a radar sensor to detect and alert the driver if a rear passenger is left in the car after the driver has exited the vehicle.
Another feature which Hyundai believes will improve safety is the ability of the infotainment system to enable the driver to communicate with rear passengers via a unique speaker function that allows all occupants to clearly hear one another.
In premium derivatives, the driver’s seat has a futuristic high-tech look with an advanced 10.25-inch front display screen, touch-based centre fascia and a button-type electronic shift lever.
The digital cluster is located on top of the dashboard for an unobstructed driver view.
The seven-seat Premium model is equipped with Premium Relaxation Seats in the second row that recline electronically and also have sliding capabilities for easy reach or to maximise cargo space.
Individual seats in the second row can swivel 180 degrees to face passengers in the third row.
Competition
Autodealer will know more about the local line-up in the coming months, including which model grades to expect, as well as what local prices are going to be like.
Expect the Hyundai Staria to take the fight straight to Volkswagen’s recently upgraded Kombi and Caravelle line-up, as well as Mercedes-Benz’s recently refreshed Vito and V-Class range.
Hyundai SA is aiming for a local launch of the Staria towards the end of 2021.