[Test Drive] "Driving with Conversational AI": The New Grandeur Embodies the SDV Era

Transformed into a Software-Defined Vehicle

First Application of the Next-Generation Infotainment Platform "Pleaos Connect"

Generative AI "Glaio AI" Enables Natural Conversation

The Grandeur, long celebrated as the epitome of a premium sedan and a "symbol of success" for over 40 years, has returned anew, now equipped with artificial intelligence (AI). On its launch day, the all-new "The New Grandeur" (hereafter referred to as the Grandeur) drew tremendous attention, securing 10,000 contracts in a single day. On May 28, I took the top-tier "Calligraphy" model, equipped with a 2.5 gasoline engine, for a test drive, covering a round trip of about 140 kilometers from Gangdong I-Park The River to Chuncheon Floating Flow in just over two hours.

The New Grandeur. Hyundai Motor Company

The New Grandeur. Hyundai Motor Company

Throughout the test drive, the phrase "a flawless, perfectly finished sedan" kept coming to mind, thanks to its comfortable ride and luxurious interior. In particular, Hyundai Motor Company's "Glaio AI," applied for the first time, offered a remarkably convenient experience, making it feel as if I was driving alongside a "communicative companion."

Since the launch of the luxury brand Genesis, the Grandeur's positioning had become somewhat ambiguous, but now its direction is clear. As Hyundai Motor Company's flagship, it leads with the latest cutting-edge technology while maintaining a sense of luxury.

The length of this seventh-generation model, released in 2022, has been extended by 15mm, but driving it did not feel cumbersome at all. The daytime running lights and headlamps are slimmer and longer, but the overall design feels more familiar than drastically different compared to previous models.

However, stepping inside reveals an entirely new experience compared to previous generations. The traditional instrument panel behind the steering wheel has disappeared, replaced by a slim information display, and the 17-inch central display creates a clean and modern look.

The next-generation infotainment platform, "Pleaos Connect," is designed to make navigation, media, and vehicle settings easy to operate. With a swipe of the finger, the screen can be split into two or three sections, allowing multiple functions to be used simultaneously.

The left display provides detailed information such as the operation of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), trip computer data, and surrounding road conditions. The right display, like a smartphone, can be used to download and run video, music, and game apps. Hyundai Motor Company plans to distribute more than ten externally developed apps by the end of the year, further expanding the car's versatility.

Especially noteworthy is the generative AI agent "Glaio AI," based on a large language model (LLM). It not only controls basic functions such as opening and closing windows or turning the air conditioner and radio on and off, but also engages in natural conversations with passengers to provide the desired functions or information.

For example, if the driver says, "Open the window," and the rear-seat passenger then says, "Me too," the rear window will also open accordingly.

The New Grandeur. Hyundai Motor Company

The New Grandeur. Hyundai Motor Company

The next-generation infotainment platform "PleoS Connect" installed in "The New Grandeur". Photo by Oh Hyungil

Jangsun Lee, a researcher at Hyundai Motor Company's Voice Recognition Development Team, explained, "Since it's difficult for drivers to absorb all the information provided by AI while driving, we optimized the responses," adding, "It was designed to deliver information concisely from a safety perspective."

Some have pointed out that "Pleaos Connect" is similar to Tesla's system. However, Hyundai Motor Company has differentiated itself by retaining physical buttons for essential controls like climate and hazard lights, and by installing a slim information display for driving data, ensuring convenient operation. On the other hand, some may miss the analog speedometer, which was replaced by advanced digital functions.

An eye-catching new feature is the "Smart Vision Roof" equipped with polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film. This allows users to freely control the roof's transparency, creating a sense of openness. The company also claims it provides heat-blocking performance comparable to a conventional panoramic roof.

Acceleration performance leaves nothing to be desired. The Smartstream 2.5 gasoline engine delivers a maximum output of 198 PS and a peak torque of 25.3 kgf·m, responding instantly to the accelerator. Combined with an 8-speed automatic transmission, gear changes are smooth and stable.

The ride remained smooth throughout the drive. Improvements to the cowl crossbar structure connecting the steering wheel to the body and the newly applied hydraulic rebound stopper have reduced high-speed vibrations and bumps. The rear seats also offer generous knee and headroom, and the ventilated reclining seats provide exceptional comfort.

Hyun Cheolmin, Executive Director of Domestic Marketing at Hyundai Motor Company, is giving a greeting speech at the test drive event of 'The New Grandeur' held on the 28th. Hyundai Motor Company

Although I did not experience features such as the Memory Reverse Assist (MRA), which remembers routes up to 50 meters in reverse, or the Pedal Misapplication Safety Assist (PMSA), a first for internal combustion engine models, these safety systems add to the vehicle's appeal by preventing potential accidents.

Finishing the test drive, I felt as if I had been handling an electronic device rather than a traditional car. Amidst the SUV boom, the Grandeur proves the enduring value of sedans and offers a tangible feel of the "software-defined vehicle (SDV)" era, once considered a distant future. While rapid technological advancements are welcome, some may miss the indescribable charm that previous generations of the Grandeur possessed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.