Pics aplenty: Hyundai Equus luxury sedan
Introduced in South Korea earlier today, the new Hyundai Equus luxury sedan has been launched at an official ceremony attended by more than thousand important guests and company officials including Prime Minister Han Seung-soo and Hyundai Kia Automotive Group chairman Chung Mong-koo.
Codenamed VI, the sedan has been under development for the last three years and cost Hyundai Motor Company a whooping $350 million. It is replacing the first generation Equus model – jointly developed with Mitsubishi-, which has been on sale in Korea since 1998.
Compared to the old version, the new Equus is a significant step up in terms of performance, applied technologies and fuel economy. Across the pond, the Equus range will include a 290-horsepower 3.8L Lambda II engine and a 366-horsepower 4.6L V8. In the second half of the year, the Equus also gets the new, even more impressive 5.0L V8 making more that 420 horses.
Both engines achieve quite impressive fuel economy ratings of 7.6 kilometers per liter (18US-MPG) for the V6 and 8.8 kilometers per liter (21MPG) for the V8. The old 4.5L V8 engine, fitted to the first generation Equus only managed to achieve 6.9 kilometers per liter of fuel (16MPG).
For its latest flagship model, Hyundai developed some highly advanced technologies including the Lane Departure Warning System, Vehicle Stability Management, Parking Guide systems and Advanced Front Lighting System.
Hyundai plans to sell 13.000 units this year, while next year, the company will liftits production to 19.000 units. Reportedly, the Equus will also go on sale in the Middle East and China.
Find more on the 2010 Equus sedan here: Hyundai Equus VI
Hyundai Equus sedan image gallery:
[Photosource: Rpm9 ]
March 12th, 2009 at 12:20 am
This “ride” invokes a “passion” I haven’t seen in a car since my first look at the 2007 Lexus LS, the 2002 Infinti Q45, the Current BMW 7 series sedan or the Mecedes S500 series that took my moms beath away at the Phila. Auto show last year. This car is Beautiful! Go get-um Hyundai!
March 12th, 2009 at 4:43 am
Looks nice. Nice choice of rims and looks fairly substantial. Unfortunately, global conditions may cause customers to be less receptive to such a vehicle right now. However, when things start to pick up again, there will likely be buyers.
Big question comes down to price and how much it undercuts competition. If the Genesis sedan/coupe is any indication, it should be signficant. Thumbs up.
March 12th, 2009 at 6:34 am
wow that thing is a beast.. get outta the way!!
March 12th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Looks like the old LS430, decent looks and should drive just like the Genesis
If they bring to US, the styling will need some serious work!
March 13th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Serious styling work? Not sure how you would expect them to do that and unlikely since the Genesis was sent over in essentially the same form for domestic and international markets.. What – change a bumper/funder? New tail lights?
This car will sell decently (I personally don’t expect it to make a huge dent in sales from Lexus/MB/BMW) provided US auto market holds at current levels and they keep the pricing significantly lower than its competitors..
March 15th, 2009 at 3:15 am
This looks very impressive I must admit. I mean, this isn’t a Hyundai by any means. Looks, features, space, comfort are A Class.
March 15th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Hmm, needs a much expressive and sharp design, this looks or else it will be a fave for 60+ years.
March 25th, 2009 at 2:49 am
Looks nice, but won’t give much of a problem to BMW or Mercedes,it might give a fight to lexus, but not really.
April 13th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
…now that i see other pictures…it needs some more buttons on the inside and less chrome on the outside…
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:22 am
You build it they will come, but you build it right and the right reasons they’ll come for sure! I like what I see inside and out. Its got nice lines, comfort/luxury, and competitive power as the other big household names. People drive those other makers usually for certain reasons vs buying the other makers…such as maybe performance, handling, technology or simply the other main two reasons…1. because I can, 2. so others can have envy! haha! It seems to me that if you make a car that has substantial aspects from the drivetrain to comfort, performance to safety that can compete with brands far more expensive. A reasonable person will and can consider a maker like Hyundai!! Just got to get off your “high horse”! If you don’t then its just because you being brand loyal, possibly willing to give up an extra 10-20K+ or even more to stick with that car? Its about time there is some sensibility here. People really want all the bells and buttons and unfortunately not everyone has 100k+ incomes. Just 15yrs ago how stupid it was to offer car with options like Disc brakes in the front and give you drums in the back, or optional passenger side airbags.
But when a car comes along and gives those attributes that should really be standard vs optional and its balanced with a reasonable price? Whoa, watch out! Don’t get me wrong top makers aren’t slouches, and I know that certain aspects of a car is what draws a person to buy one brand over the other. Even I can consider a change a possibility, and even more so when you make a car that has balance of admenties in it for a reasonable price. How could you not at least consider, take a look, even take a drive? I know I will! Hmmm, do we really care if our neighbors thinks less of us because you traded in the Lexus, or BMW for Hyundai?
Lastly, what I think is nice is the fact that you’ll soon have a car like the Equus (and now Genesis) that can pull up at the stoplight to a comparable BMW, AUDI, MERCEDES, etc! …Well your not going to blow my doors off or and if anything not be left in the dust! Heck, you might find the other brand close behind and that said I would be ok with that and an have extra 10-20k+ in my pocket to other things with, especially in this economy. The saying “you get what you pay for” can work both ways here! I think Hyundai will make a car work for the price tag without necessarily making you second guess it.
PS: If they make this All-Wheel and safety like a Volvo!! Thats a MONSTER!
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:48 am
Yeah, I know my PS: was an optional idea. We know that you can’t put everything in without the cost raising significantly. However, if any auto maker can make a car with(just about)everything, performs, etc. and its affordable, wouldn’t want it? I think Hyundai is on the right track and is trying to find that niche. Look: you can see the making of Audi’s new larger A4, BMW I series, Lexus IS, Mercedes’s C class for performances! But to get the more luxury and size you got to get to bigger sedans and there is super added cost difference then what Hyundai seem to be offering. Any ideas for Audi S or RS, Lexus F, Mercedes C6.3(?) cost is? You can get a Volvo S80 or Lexus 3/400 series and yet not get the horsepower and seemingly cabin space for the same price. Again finding a niche thats balances all this out! I like the challenge!