Hyundai to release “eco friendly” Staria variants
Hyundai Motor has officially presented its new Staria van series, which is to be launched in select markets in the second half of 2021. The Hyundai Staria will initially start with internal combustion engines, with “eco-friendly variants” to follow in the coming years.
While Hyundai does not go into detail about the latter in its announcement, there are media reports that a fuel cell variant and a plug-in hybrid version of the Staria are planned. A battery-electric version is not yet planned, but is feasible, according to media reports. Depending on the configuration, the van can have up to eleven seats and will soon be presented in a commercial vehicle version.
The presentation, which took place online, clearly focused on the looks of the vehicle. The Staria stands out with its futuristic, streamlined design with a continuous daytime running light strip at the front. According to Hyundai, the silhouette should ensure an optimised drag coefficient and thus also lower fuel consumption. However, the Korean company did not provide any technical details. At the rear, vertical taillights and a wide rear window stand out.
The dimensions of the van: 5.25 metres long, 2 metres wide and 2 metres high with a wheelbase of 3.27 metres. Depending on the model variant, the load space can hold up to 5,000 litres. By comparison, the VW T6 Multivan can hold up to 4,300 litres and the Mercedes V-Class up to 4,630 litres. It is also the interior that Hyundai puts in the spotlight in its press release. It is designed to offer space and flexibility: Up to three rows of seats are possible in the rear. The third row consists of a continuous bench seat. Depending on the equipment variant, the Staria offers individual seats further forward that can be rotated by 180 degrees. All rear seatbacks can be set to a full reclining position, making it easy to stow long items without removing the seats.
In addition to intelligent on-board driving assistants, Hyundai highlights the integration of up to six airbags in terms of safety. It also says there is a “wireless seatbelt reminder” – a technology that allows the seats to be moved smoothly and still warns if the seatbelt is not fastened.
When the van is launched in the second half of the year, it will initially only be available with a diesel engine. Hyundai does not give a timetable for the other variants – first and foremost the commercial vehicle version and the electrified versions.
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