(July 29, 2011) FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA — The all but forgotten Azera is set to make a comeback in 2012 as Hyundai will debut a U.S. version of its home market Grandeur at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November according to a tweet sent by John Krafcik. Krafcik, the chief executive for Hyundai in the U.S. says the new Azera fits nicely into Hyundai’s expanding line-up. The Azera once the top-of-the-line will now slot between the mass market Sonata and the upscale luxury Genesis and Equus models, giving Hyundai a transitional model with a price point closer to the Sonata.

The Azera (Grandeur pictured here) carries forward the “fluidic” design theme found on the Sonata, Elantra and Accent but with cleaner, less dramatic cut lines, that creates a more upscale look again allowing the vehicle the transitional space between mainstream and luxury.

While Krafcik mentioned that the Azera was going through its final ride and handling tweaks he did not reveal the powertrain selection for the U.S. model. All reports are speculative at best with the best guess being a V6 with direct injection for added fuel economy and performance.