Hyundai Motor Co. is said to be seeking to unveil the 2020 upgrade model of its flagship premium SUV Palisade early next month hoping to entice consumers’ auto demand that has plunged during the COVID-19 shutdown.

The upgrade Palisade will hit the market early next month in a broader range of options with the addition of new top-spec trim Calligraphy and a custom model, according to industry sources on Thursday.

Customers who are waiting for the delivery of their pre-ordered 2019 Palisade model have been already recommended by Hyundai Motor dealers to replace the previous model with the 2020 upgrade version, sources added.

The 2020 Palisade is set to hit the market only 17 months after the vehicle debuted in December 2018.

The trop-trim model Calligraphy is expected to have a new ‘X’ shape in the inner grille pattern, with a horizontal bar on the bottom of the front bumper. In addition, the same color as the body will be applied to the line from the front bumper to the wheel and rear bumper. The interior will be upgraded with an addition of a mood lamp and equipped with a 12.3-inch digital center instrument cluster that was applied only to North American models in the previous version.

BlueLink navigation and some popular options will likely be offered as standard, too. Customers will be allowed to choose their preferred high-end options as a package, including a host of convenient technology features for second-row passengers, for their custom model.

Hyundai Motor’s full-size SUV Palisade named as one of the best 2020 vehicles by U.S.-based automotive site ‘cars.com’ has been on the hot-selling list since its list in the U.S. and Korea for upscale features at a relatively affordable price. Hyundai Motor sold 52,299 Palisade units domestically last year and 55,215 units outside Korea.

By Park Yun-gu and Minu Kim

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