the story behind hyundai's 1986 grandeur sedan

Hyundai 1986 Grandeur sedan before it becomes electric

Hyundai restores its 1986 Grandeur sedan into a concept electric car. Also known as Azera, it looks real and road-fitting, but the restored version will never make it into production. These are the words that come straight from the car manufacturer. When the design team first introduced it in 2021, it was only, and still is, meant to be a part of their Heritage series. It’s the archival collection that studies the design and history of the company’s previous models. These are the vehicles that have marked their production line both as inspiration and real-life vehicles. The first in the series is the Pony, first unveiled in 1975. The next is the Hyundai 1986 Grandeur sedan.

In 2021, it celebrated its 35th anniversary, and as a homage, the company transformed the interiors and engine of the car into a modernized cabin and an electric powertrain. Before becoming a concept electric car, the vehicle begins its journey into the sedan market as a real-life model. It’s not a one-man team, as the company taps Mitsubishi Motors to develop the Hyundai 1986 Grandeur sedan. Some reports say that the first generation of the sedan is a reimagination of the second-generation Debonair. It’s because they share the front-engine and front-wheel-drive layout, which was a new setup for Hyundai at the time.

all images courtesy of Hyundai, unless stated otherwise

jet airplane-style gear selector as innovative feature

As soon as it hits the market, the Hyundai 1986 Grandeur sedan is a stealer, from its angular lines to its chrome accents. The car manufacturer works on the exterior design, while Mitsubishi Motors lends a hand on the interiors and technology. Its boxy exterior is one that the current generation of vehicles has softened. The front and back lamps shine with individual lights, reminiscent of the sci-fi ambiance. Inside, the theme of luxury runs its course. It’s fitting because at the time, the car manufacturer wants to take home that crown for the model.

Hoping to make it happen, the first features Hyundai adds to the 1986 Grandeur sedan are a single-spoke steering wheel and jet airplane-style gear selector. Back then, these vehicle elements were considered new to the company. Then, the design team uses velvet to wrap the seats as well as the fabric-finished door trim. Even the front seats enjoy the luxury of the velvet (it’s burgundy for the restored version). From the words of the car manufacturer, the first-generation of the Hyundai 1986 Grandeur sedan built a reputation as ‘the best luxury car of its time.’

Hyundai restores its 1986 Grandeur sedan into a concept electric car

Evolved azera still pays homage to the first-generation sedan

Hyundai calls the 1986 Grandeur sedan its flagship model. The vehicle, however, only holds that title until 1991 when the Hyundai Dynasty makes it out. It’s a premium and executive sedan identified with a stylized D logo. The car manufacturer even produces a limousine version of the model. Slowly, it takes over the Hyundai 1986 Grandeur as a sedan lead, but that doesn’t stop the model’s further generation from coming out. The car manufacturer has produced six generations of the sedan, leaving behind the name Grandeur for the better-known Azera.

A lot of the design elements from the first generation of the Hyundai 1986 Grandeur sedan have now disappeared. The recent Azera model has a long hood, horizontal side body, long wheelbase, and opera glass. The exterior handles disappear into the door when not in use. Then, the sharp edges that once dominated the first generation have now become softer, rounder, at times no longer noticeable. The company says the interiors of the new Azera still pay homage to the first generation, but it’s more of the feel rather than the look. It’s more high-tech than retro with the digital buttons, landscape display, and ambient mood lamps.

the restoration is part of the company’s Grandeur Heritage series

It’s the Hyundai Motor’s interior design team that leads the heritage project. They’re the masterminds behind the remakes of the Pony and the 1986 Grandeur sedan. There are two other old models that are coming up in the series. The first is the 1991 Galloper. The company already hints at giving it a digital nomad concept. The team plans to reconfigure its interior to allow for a camping cabin as well as let the owners work remotely from inside the car.

The second is the 1983 Stellar. For the Heritage series, the model goes through a ‘small luxury’ makeover. The design team mostly targets the Millennials and Gen Z as their primary audience. Because of this, the revamped version leans more towards having digital technologies, stepping away from the manual mechanisms of its original design. The Heritage series is a way for Hyundai to look into the future of its car designs. As the company believes, ‘it is essential to read the present trends and look at the past as well.’ While it has brought back the 1986 Grandeur sedan as a concept electric car, there’s time for Hyundai to turn this retro restoration into a real-life model.

Hyundai Grandeur LPE sedan at Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang | image by Damian B. Oh, via Wikimedia Commons