Hyundai Motor unveils all-new Avante sedan with AI infotainment at Busan Mobility Show

Hyundai Motor Co. on Friday unveiled the all-new Avante compact sedan, featuring a redesigned exterior, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered infotainment system and enhanced safety technologies.

The eighth-generation Avante made its debut at the Busan International Mobility Show in the southeastern port city of Busan, which opened Friday for a three-day run.

The latest model marks Avante's first full redesign in six years since the launch of the previous generation in 2020.

The redesigned sedan features a roomier interior, newly designed daytime running lights and taillamps.

It is available with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine producing up to 149 horsepower, as well as a 1.6-liter hybrid powertrain generating up to 157 horsepower.

The vehicle is equipped with navigation-based Smart Cruise Control and introduces Hyundai Motor's latest Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) technologies, including a Shift-by-Wire (SBW) transmission.

It also features the new Pleos Connect infotainment system, powered by the company's large language model-based Gleo AI, enabling natural voice commands and AI-assisted vehicle controls and information searches.

Hyundai Motor said it plans to announce pricing and begin accepting orders in the third quarter.

During the mobility show, the company is operating interactive experience zones for Pleos Connect while showcasing a wide range of electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered models and related mobility technologies.

Hyundai Motor Group affiliate, Kia Corp. also showcased three variants of its purpose-based vehicle, PV5, including the seven-seat Passenger Prime and Cargo High Roof models.

Kia said it plans to further expand the PV5 lineup with additional variants, including a five-seat Passenger model for taxi and demand-responsive mobility services, a box truck for small business owners and outdoor- and leisure-oriented models.

During the show, Genesis, Hyundai Motor's luxury brand, displayed the Magma GT Concept and the GMR-001 Hypercar Design Model, making their debut in Asia.

First introduced in France in November last year, the Magma GT Concept features a low-slung front end, wide fenders and a distinctive boat-tail profile that gradually tapers toward the rear.

The GMR-001 Hypercar Design Model served as the basis for the GMR-001 Hypercar, Genesis' endurance racing car developed to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the world's most grueling motorsport races, held in France earlier this month.