2010 Hyundai VI - Equus replacement - teaser shot
Earlier this week, we mentioned Hyundai has been secretly developing its most powerful and luxurious sedan, code-named VI, that is about to replace its nine-years-old flagship Equus model. Large number of reports and spy shots that you could have seen at the blog lately, indicated that Equus successor is entering the final stage of testing and it won’t take long before Hyundai shows it to the public for the first time.
It was speculated that Hyundai plans to bring this model to Korean market early next year. We can now confirm that the world premiere is scheduled for February 2009. In addition to the timing of release, we can also show you this exclusive preview of the all new Equus super luxury sedan.
Unlike the front–wheel drive Equus, VI adopts a rear–wheel drive architecture which will make it a more credible competitor against the Lexus LS460, BMW 7–Series and Mercedes–Benz S–Class––all rwd models.
When the VI goes on sale, it will be available with 5,0L Tau engine, producing between 400 and 420 horsepower. But this will not be the only engine offering that the VI gets. It will also be available with larger V8 engine (5,5L), as well as smaller 4,6L engine, and they will both benefit from cylinder deactivation and a possible integrated supercharger. Reportedly, its top speed will be limited to 250km/h. At the end, we should not forget to mention Equus grew in size and now stands at 5160mm of length, 1900mm of width and has a wheelbase of 3045mm.
Promising to provide the pinnacle of luxury and to showcase Hyundais most advanced technologies, the VI will include among its sophisticated safety features a second–generation Vehicle Stability Management System (VSM2), a Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) which employs a vision sensor to monitor traffic lane markers and a Pre–Safety Seatbelt System which on detecting an imminent front–end collision, will automatically reel–in the safety belts to maximize the safety of the occupants.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:55 am
Excellent and well-done Hyundai!!!
Will this be arriving to the USDM?
I hope so! This will be a nice range-topper above the already well appointed Genesis.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:04 am
Nope, not anytime soon. This is strictly for the Korean domestic market to replace their aging Equus.
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:54 am
Nice but it would be a shame that this car would not be offered in the US. I could think of at least 8 reasons that this car should be offered in the us. 1. We practically invented the big car- countries all over the world have imported our V8 cars because previously the US was the only country that made as affordable big block engine car. 2. The US would significantly increase auto sales in Hyundai’s large car market- Lexus, Mercedes,Maybach, Audi, Cadillac, BMW all sell their largest cars in the us. I live in Amish farm Country in Pennsylvania and there is at least one of each of the above dealers within a 10 mile radius from here and none of them are doing poorly either… go figure. 3. There are at least 12 major cities L.A., Dallas, Seattle, Las Vegas, Chicago, Portland, Detroit, Atlanta, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. and at least 6 others where this car could easily be marketed and sell well. 4. In Chicago, Hollywood and New York and Philadelphia there are some of the most prestigious car drivers in the world And if given a reasonable luxury car they would drive it. 5. There are dealers in all those areas where you can buy Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Bentley, Maserati, and Rolls Royce, as well as other rare American cars… there are not many places in the world where you can do this. 6. The US helped elevate Hyundai to this level anyway… I have been watching this company for over 18 years since I bought my first Hyundai. America has been their litmus test! They have proved that if a car does well in the US for them, it can be sold around the world. Sonata was that car. 7. Other than Asia and Australia, the North American continent has more highways where this car would feel at home than anywhere else on the planet. And 8. In order for Hyundai to continue to sell to generations of people they have no choice to continue to go upscale as well as downscale in the US. You don’t just want your neighbor driving that new Sonata because they saw you in an Azera, or his niece in an Elantra with her younger sibling in an Accent; Hyundai SHOULD want to see your boss in the new V8 Genesis while the CEO actually likes and would RATHER drive the Hyundai Equus (or VI or i70 whatever it will be called ) so much so that he wants to make Hyundai the company car… not because he want to see every one in top of the line car but because it would actually be the ONLY car company on the planet that has the quality, warranty, and the variety that can supply cars for the many CEO in the US but at the same time offer a quality low cost vehicle that the CEO could recommend IN LARGE VOLUMES to his/ her co-workers because he will be driving a car from the same company as they are… Sound ludicrous? Remember the slogan “Only In America ” And NO WHERE ELSE! oh and P.S.. car insurance prices are going to be less for this car than ANYTHING this car will be equal… and so will the repair bill be to so why wouldn’t a person who will be looking at the above cars consider this car. It’s all a “no brainer”.