Hyundai VI luxury sedan spotted on the highway
In addition to the Genesis sedan, Hyundai plans to add another luxury sedan to its impressive range of vehicles next year. When the VI sedan hits the market, it will become the most prestigious and most powerful passenger vehicle Hyundai has ever built.
First prototypes of the sedan have already been spotted while undergoing mechanical testing around South Korea and Europe. And most recently, the spies have caught this particular model, wearing heavy camouflage on its front and rear fascias.
The new Hyundai model is being developed under the VI name and will be to replacing the aging Equus model. The Equus has been on sale (in South Korea) for more than eight years and it desperately needs a replacement to rival new Ssangyong Chairman, BMW 7-series and Mercedes-Benz S-class.
The new model will grow in size and is expected to adopt three new powerplants from the Tau engine family. The range of V8 powerplants will include the 4,6L and 5,5L engines, ranging from 375hp for the 4,6L to 450 hp in the 5,5L. A turbocharged 5,0L engine was also rumored to be on its way.
The new Hyundai Equus VI will first go on sale in Korea early next year. Its overseas introduction date was not yet announced, but it is expected to enter the China and Russia market late next year. Hyundai has also been considering to bring the Equus to United States, but recent downturn in luxury car sales could jeopardize its sales debut in the country.
UPDATE: More images now available
July 26th, 2008 at 3:44 am
So I guess this is the car thats gonna start the new luxo marque for Hyundai in China… they said the brand was gonna come in 2010 but prolli for China only or maybe Korea as well… can’t wait to see what they come up with! I expect people to bash this car a LOT. Oh and the V8s sound tempting (especially the 5.0T) but it will only sell if they have DI and cylinder deactivation.
Also, isn’t the forced inudction supposed to come from a supercharger???
“Hyundai’s vice president of product development, John Krafic, said that Hyundai is expecting about 20-percent of buyers to opt for the 4.6-liter V8. Interestingly, Krafic said that cylinder deactivation and direct injection could be added on future models and that a supercharger could find its way under the hood to boost performance. No word on when either of these features would be added to the Genesis after it goes on sale this summer.”-Autoblog
August 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
As good as this next car sounds the only way Hyundai can succeed with premium luxury cars in the U.S. is to create a separate brand channel, aka Genesis. At prices above $30k, people want the ‘badge’.
August 11th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Hyundai considered setting-up a luxury brand, but the cost for this move would be more than 2billion $ -just to establish the brand itself. The costs of development of new models was not included and nor was the advertising of the new brand.
Let them develope the Hyundai brand and once they do that, people will have the “badge”.
I own a Hyundai and I’m proud to be a Hyundai owner. And would never consider buying something Hyundai-made without a Hyundai badge!!
What people want at prices above $30k is an attractive, unique and technology advanced vehicle that stands out of the crowd. If Hyundai can make that, then they don’t need to rebadge their models with a “luxo” nameplate.