Swivel seats and power sliding door from new Starex Royale

SHAH ALAM: The 2011 Hyundai Grand Starex Royale is now here, promising more luxurious and practical features.

The key external changes include a new chrome grille, LED daytime running lights on the wing mirrors, side skirting, new front and back bumpers and a new rear spoiler with built-in stop light.

The interior has also been upgraded for better passenger comfort, with Hyundai proposing the vehicle as either a family MPV or a mobile office.

It now comes with optional Nappa leather seats and second row seats are the swivelling type, useful for face-to-face chats or business meetings. Sliding seats in the third row can alternatively be turned into armrests for extra comfort and to make more space.

A power sliding door is offered as an option; press a button and the near side door silently slides open or close.

Additional functions have been packed into a newly designed instrument cluster. It includes a trip computer, which enables the driver to record distance travelled, average fuel efficiency and real time fuel consumption.

New to the automatic MPV is electronic Stability Programme, which adds another layer of safety. Finding your way around a strange locale is now made easier with a built-in GPS navigation system.

The Grand Starex Royale has a 2.5-litre turbocharged CRDi diesel engine with intercooler.

Output is 168bhp at 3,800rpm and 392Nm at 2,000-2,500rpm.

The Grand Starex Royale 2.5GLS Diesel VGT is priced at RM153,888. With options thrown in, it's RM165,888.

Four body colours are offered - Crystal White, Stone Black, Sleek Silver and Carbon Grey.

The MPV will be available for test-drives and bookings at all Hyundai showrooms nationwide from today.

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors offers a five-year or 300,000km (whichever comes first) extended warranty on all its new passenger vehicles. A 24-hour road assist service is also now available to new and existing Hyundai vehicles.

For more information on the MPV, call Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Customer Careline at 1-300-13-2000 during office hours.

By Golly! It's an 11-seater.