Hyundai Mistra concept previews China-only medium sedan

A project between Hyundai Motor Group's R&D Centre and the Beijing Hyundai Technical Centre, the Hyundai Mistra-based production car will launch in China later this year positioned between the Hyundai Sonata and Elantra, under the final model name ‘Mingtu’.

Measuring 4710mm long, 1820mm wide and 1470mm high and with a 2770mm wheelbase, the Hyundai Mistra concept is 155mm shorter, 20mm narrower and 20mm taller than a Mazda 6, with a wheelbase 60mm more compact.

Designed around the concepts of Modern Simplicity, Understated Sportiness and Smart Luxury, and finished in ‘Frost Jade’, the Hyundai Mistra concept features a wide radiator grille with chrome slats and a prominent Hyundai logo, elongated horizontal LED fog lamps and side air intakes framed by chrome details.

A sloping roofline and subtle character line along the doors head rearwards to meet a heavily raked rear window and LED tail-lights.

With a chrome tipped dual exhaust and 19-inch alloy wheels completing the exterior look, Hyundai hopes the Mistra – named after a city in the Laconia region of southern Greece and signifying integrity and quality with its Chinese name Mingtu – will find new customers among young parents aged in their 20s and 30s.

Joining the Mistra at the Shanghai show, and making its Chinese debut, was the Hyundai Grand Santa Fe. A long-wheelbase, three-row version of the Hyundai Santa Fe SUV available in Australia, the Grand Santa Fe goes on sale in China in the coming months.

At 4915mm long, 1885mm wide and 1690mm high, the Grand Santa Fe is 225mm longer, 5mm wider and 110mm taller than the standard Santa Fe, while a 100mm longer wheelbase helps improve luggage capacity from 516 litres to 630L. Hyundai Australia has no plans at this stage to introduce the larger Santa Fe locally.

The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell and HCD-14 Genesis concept were also on display at the Korean brand’s Shanghai stand.

Hyundai entered the Chinese market in 2002, establishing the Beijing Hyundai Motor Co, a 50-50 joint venture between Hyundai Motor and Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co.