The engine is mounted transversely, has a variable intake system and a balance shaft, and will develop 192 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 178 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. It's attached to a 5-speed automatic that Kelleher says allows for manual gear selection, "allowing the driver to manually shift up or down the transmission range. The transmission is also fully adaptive, adjusting to the driving style of the driver."
For handling, the XG uses independent double-wishbones with a rollbar up front, a multi-link setup with dynamic toe control and another rollbar in the back, and nitrogen-filled shocks at all four corners. "The front shocks have special low-velocity control valving to provide excellent high-speed ride control," says Kelleher, "while still providing a smooth ride."
Hyundai's specific aim with XG, Kelleher says, is to offer "an extremely well-equipped vehicle that offers everything a driver would want at a price that represents an outstanding value."The distributor of Korean-built cars had previously dropped plans to import a minivan because it didn't think its dealer network was up to handling more than five models and the soon-to-arrive Santa Fe SUV was seen as a better bet.
Plans to import the XG show that the firm's thinking has changed, and Kelleher says it now plans to expand the model lineup. "Our goal is to introduce new vehicles that advance the Hyundai brand and image in the minds of car buyers," he says.