2004 Hyundai Centennial Overview

As an interesting side note, the originator of the architecture is Mitsubishi, which designed it for their

To be successful in the North American market, the Centennial would need a styling update, something at least as dynamic as the Hyundai Equus HCD-7 Concept that debuted in 2002 (shown). (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Australian-built Diamante luxury sedan, also known as the Magnus in other markets. It was stretched into the Dignity executive sedan for local consumers, never making it out of Asia.

It would be a fair bet to assume Hyundai would at least update the styling of the Centennial if it were to come across the Pacific. The current car looks old, square and past its due date, and quite frankly wouldn't stand a chance in our competitive luxury market even if priced around the same as the current XG. After all, Chrysler has come to market with its new 300, starting at under $30K and offering more style and performance than pretty well

A car with the styling of the Equus HCD-7 Concept (shown) priced at a Hyundai level would without a doubt be popular. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

anything in the market. The Centennial would have to feature a styling update at least as dynamic as the Equus HCD-7 Concept shown in 2002 (see Concept car review in archives).

Hyundai offers its Centennial to Asian buyers with a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 215 horsepower and 226 lb-ft of torque in its base JS 350 guise, but while Europeans and their high-priced fuel costs might embrace such anemic output this wouldn't do in North America. Buyers here would want only the 4.5-liter direct-injection V8. Sourced from Mitsubishi, it's available in the VS 450 and long wheelbase VL 450. The V8 makes 275 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. A 5-speed automatic with H-Matic manual mode, basically a re-badged version of the Mitsubishi INVECS-II transmission, connects to each engine.