Doha: Hyundai Motor Company’s flagship model, the 2014 Centennial, has been named Saloon of the Year for 2013 by top Middle East motoring magazine, EVO. In the process, it beat off strong competition from German and Japanese models in the premium car sector.
The 2014 Centennial was launched in the Middle East in early 2013, with the promise of challenging the established names in the premium car market better than ever before through a significantly enhanced interior, the addition of a range of cutting-edge features, and the introduction of two new high-performance GDI engines.
The award was presented to the Head of Hyundai Africa and Middle East Headquarters, Tom Lee, by Bassam Kronfli, Editor-in-Chief of EVO Magazine, who commented: “We were lucky enough to test drive the 2014 Centennial last year, and were extremely impressed by it. Hyundai has claimed that the model is a genuine alternative to the more well-known premium brands, and the car itself certainly backs up these claims. The combination of a strong engine, the latest in-car technology and very reasonable pricing, meant that it was a worthy winner of our Saloon of the Year award for 2013.”
Lee said: “This is the latest in a number of major awards that the Centennial has recently received in the Middle East, and is a true testament to how far we have come as an automotive company that we are now producing cars that meet and exceed the very highest quality standards in the premium car class.”
The car is equipped with GDi engines, and to ensure the highest standards of comfort, it also has electronically-controlled multi-link suspension, while an air suspension option is also available. Passengers in the back can enjoy new dual 9.2inch LCD rear monitor screens and control their travel experience via a DIS system. A smartphone touchscreen-style user experience is provided by the innovative Haptic Steering Wheel, while an all around View Monitor utilises small front, side and rear-mounted cameras to project a 360° view of the area surrounding the vehicle onto the driver’s information screen, making parking easier. The Peninsula
