Hyundai Staria people mover detailed with ‘eco-friendly’ variants to come
Hyundai will launch its iMax-replacing Staria people mover in Australia in the second half of 2021, with plans to “add eco-friendly variants in the upcoming years.”
Last month we reported hybrid or full electric systems – or even a plug-in hybrid – were expected for the futuristic-looking Staria, but it was unclear if they’d arrive from launch alongside internal combustion variants.
We now know just a 130kW/431Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel and 200kW/331Nm 3.5-litre petrol V6 will be offered from the outset in Australia.
However, as we reported previously, in registering the names – Staria and Staria Premium – with the Australian Government’s IP Australia website, Hyundai listed them as “Automobiles; vans [vehicles]; trucks; electric vehicles; hybrid vehicles”.
Considering the spaceship-esque design, the Staria will be ideally suited to various forms of electrification, hopefully in the very near future. Horizontal daytime running lights run the width of the people-mover’s front end, while a single design stroke running from front to rear, which is “inspired by the curve of light that illuminates the Earth’s horizon at sunrise when viewed from space.” Cosmic.
Measuring a mighty 5,253mm long, 1,997mm wide and 1,990mm high – with a 3,273mm wheelbase – there’ll be seating for up to nine passengers in what looks like, if the images are anything to go by, rather salubrious surroundings.
Lowered belt lines and panoramic side windows are massive, which should ensure excellent visibility for passengers and a great sense of spaciousness.
The front row enjoys a dashboard-top digital cluster, 10.25-inch display screen, touch-based centre fascia and buttons instead of a gear shifter.
The seven-seat Premium models have Business Class-esque individual reclining leather seats in the second row, which can swivel through 180-degrees to face passengers in the third row. Passengers enjoy 64-colour ambient mood lighting, a Bose audio system and electric sliding side doors.
Sliding and full flat-folding seats in the non-Premium model offer excellent flexibility, including for camping or hauling large pieces of sporting equipment.
Hyundai says it plans to launch Special Vehicle lineups of Staria, such as limousines, ambulances and a camping car.
But it’s the eco-friendly variants we’re most interested in, and hopefully there’ll be solid news on that front in the near future.
