Hyundai’s home branch in South Korea has been a good source of early information about the company’s lineup in the United States. New models are introduced there first and that is often where the first spy shots and renderings come from.

That has been the case with the new Azera, called the Grandeur in the South Korean market. The company is readying a new replacement to its full-size model, and what was formerly its flagship. The Azera is set to move upscale, positioned as an upscale alternative to the rear-wheel drive Genesis.

As Hyundai has moved forward with its luxury models like the Genesis and Equus, it has been easy to forget about the Azera. The new model should change that significantly, with a elegant design that provides more drama than the Genesis Sedan.

The real question though is the interior, which has been a bit of a sore spot with the current Azera. Also, how would Hyundai’s fluidic sculpture design translate to a luxury vehicle? The answer is pretty well, actually.

The design is dramatic with a tall and wide center stack – it is huge, no doubt about it. The car also looks to debut ambient interior lighting, a feature of many new interiors that we much welcome.

It is an area Hyundai hasn’t really explored before so it is good to see that happening. In Korea the car will come with your option of a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder from the Sonata or a 3.0-liter V-6.

Expect the car to only be offered with V-6 engines here. As for an official introduction date, the latest is that the car could see a U.S debut at the New York Auto Show in April 2011.