Hyundai Equus
Unless you've visited Korea lately, you've probably never heard of the Hyundai Equus. It's Hyundai's largest, most luxurious sedan, but since its debut in 1999 it's been a domestic market sedan only. That may change in the coming years as the 2008 Hyundai Equus is being designed with U.S. sales in mind.
Spy Hyundai Equus
Spy Hyundai Equus
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Isn't Hyundai designing the eqqus with hopes of launching a separate luxury line like toyo-lexus?
Obviously, Edmund's got those facts wrong although it is 50/50 chance that
Hyundai will actually launch a separate "Equus" brand (or whatever the name).
I even heard that the so-called 08 Equus is actually a "Dynasty" replacement
and that even bigger car will come out to replace Equus (which i disagree since
the interior shot shows Equus logo).
If you've never heard of Equus, it is highly likely you've never heard of Dynasty
either. It was a sub-segment between Grandeur(Azera) and Equus, discontinued
around the launch of the new Grandeur.
Here are pictures for both Dynasty and '05 Equus.
'04 Dynasty
'05 Equus
http://www.carspyshots.net/zerothread?id=16038
From all the way in the beginning when the first shots were snapped in S. Korea.
2) The name will not be Equus
3) The Dynasty and Equus offered in S. Korea both are FWD, and this (dubbed "BH") will be RWD.
4) The BH will slot above the Azera
4) Rumor has it, at the New York Auto Show, Hyundai is to reveal a close to production concept of the "BH", production model should follow soonafter - stay tuned...
On the last pict above, you'll notice on the left is the BH Vehicle. Notice the size of the Azera in the middle and the BMW 7 Series to the right. The BH car is just as big as the Bimmer!! I can't wait for this car to make it here already! Anyways, I recently purchased 2007 Sonata. Very happy with the car's performance, design and built quality. I'll be trading it in for the BH car 1 year after it's release. Why 1 year after? Well, I always think the 1 year car is like a reasearch year for the auto manufacturer to work out it's kink. Then the 2 year of it's production most of the stuff are usually fixed or redesigned and the vehicle becomes more reliable.
More: http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-concept-genesis
One clarification... It's not going to be named Equus! This is technically a concept car by Hyundai called Genesis which is a replacement vehicle for Hyundai Dynasty. What you see is pretty much the production version of the car except for the Headlight which will be more subtle looking, and the concept car's 20 inch wheels will be replace by 18 inch during production. We here in the US will be seeing these cars for sale at our shores at the latter half of 2008.
Excerp from a reports: (We have yet to get a look at the Concept Genesis interior, but we do know it will offer the requisite load of technology and upscale amenities, including push-button start, an electric parking brake, adaptive cruise control, DVD navigation with a backup camera, Bluetooth, separate USB and MP3 player input jacks, and a surround-sound Infinity audio system. Stability control and eight airbags are among the standard fare, and HID headlights will also be available.)
One correction to the thread title - this is the Dynasty replacement, codenamed BH, not Equus, which is codenamed VI.
Press Release and Hi-Res Photos:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/hyundai/27501
If Hyundai doesn't do something like either create a Sub-Brand to sell their luxury cars, than I'm not too sure I'd be able to go through with a purchase. They don't specifically need "Genesis" (for example) dealerships right now.. That can come later.. Or, they can just do what Ford has done with Lincoln/Mercury and create Hyundai/Genesis to sell the Equus under - and only allow the highest/top rated Hyundai dealerships to sell and service these cars...
Sal Collaziano
Genesis Owners Club
Why? The S550 and E550 have the same engine. The 750i and 550i have the same engine. The A8 and A6 4.2 have the same engine. Why shouldn't the Equus and Genesis follow suit? :confuse:
Sat in the Equus at a local dealer in TX today. Also took some photos. Very impressed if the car's base will be about $48k. Car had air suspension, all the back seat items, and the 4.6 V-8 (I guess it's the same engine as in the Genesis). I'll be tempted if Hyundai does some sponsored leases. Someone said it will be on sale in the U.S. in January, but I think that's too optimistic. No brochures at the dealer, but a Korean version in pdf is here (click on "gallery" then "download"):
http://equus.hyundai.com/
And as for resale values, KBB predicts the 3 yr residual value for the 2009 Genesis sedan to be slightly better than the 2009 GS and significantly better than the Infiniti M.
And the problem w/ the Phaeton wasn't so much the dealer network, but its overbloated price (starting in the mid-$60k range and going over $100k).
Why buy a Phaeton when one can have an A8 for a few thousand more?
Read a little closer. The speedometer is metered in kilometers, not miles.
Maybe Hyundai will look at using some of the Equus suspension components on the Genesis as they do for the Korean spec model.
As for the Genesis suspension, all Hyundai need do is import the car with the Korean spec adjustable air suspension system. Those that want to float down the freeway can do it and those that prefer the Space Mountain ride setting can bounce off the ceiling until their brains' swell.
Enough of that...I think I will pass on the Genesis and wait on the Equus. It looks to be the type of car you wouldn't need to upgrade and could hold on to for quite a while. Very, very nice indeed. Personally...seeing how Hyundai has done in terms of stepping up from the Azera to the Genesis and now to the Equus, I certainly have no qualms and would make the jump with no hesitation. However, I'll probably be waiting for a year-old Equus to take a bite out of some of that price.
If you're in the NOVA/DC/MD Alexandria Hyundai has one.
When Genesis was first introduced it was going to sell for less than 30K. Base is 33K and most sell for about 35K or more. So will the Equus sell for 58-68K? That's pretty expensive for a car with no badge prestige. Most people buying/leasing in that price range want their friends and neighbors and clients to KNOW they are driving an expensive, prestige car.
I really do wish Hyundai good luck, but instead of spending so much time and R&D on new cars, fix the complaints with the existing models.
BTW, Hyundai has now moved on to the HED-5 as it's toy of the year.
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My first impression of the Equus was quiet excitement. The car has a familiar and yet very distint look to it. Yes, you could very well see it as a Lexus, Benz or BMW, but on the other hand...it is it's own "character". The lines of the car are truly better than anything else Hyundai has created (even edging out the Genesis Coupe). Walking around the car, all the panels fit nicely and seem to be very consistently spaced.
Opening the driver's door, you are greeted with a sill 'Equus" plate that lights up. I moved the driver's seat back as far as it would go and it didn't seem to go back as far as I thought it needed to, but I was able to ease into the and was met with comfort. The driver's seat can be arranged in various ways that you would expect and it even has and extension you can adjust for those that like more support under their thighs.
Looking around the cabin and you notice things like the suede headliner, the Infiniti style clock, the passenger seat controls located on the driver's side of the passenger seat so that the driver can adjust it without having to reach all the way across the car to do so. I set the driver's seat up for the most comfortable driving position (for me...I'm 6'2", 225 lbs) and then I got out and climbed in the rear seat behind the driver's seat. There was at least 6" clearance between the seat back and my knees...WOW!!! Looking on the rear door, there are seat controls just like the front. Yes, power rear seats that recline slightly, but the way it's done is the seat bottom slides out pulling the bottom of the seat back with it.
From the rear seat, you look up and notice to rectangles on the ceiling. Flip one open and you find out that it's a lit vanity mirror (one on each side). Flip down the center arm rest and you'll find controls for the rear climate control and I believe some controls for the rear DVD enterntainment system. Another thing I noticed was the flip up table located on the back of the front passenger seat. It flips up and locks into place and allows for adjustment depending on how the seat is reclined. I would like to see one on both sides, but for not...it seems like there will only be one.
I climbed out of the rear seat and walked to the back of the car to open the trunk. I located the rubber covered button and was pleasantly surprised to be met with a full power trunk lid. When the trunk lid is up, you notice two red, lit buttons and one of them you push to close the trunk. You don't have to push it 98% of the way down and let a locking mechanism grab it and close it the last 2%, it closes it 100%...very nice. The trunk was very spacious (I forgot to peek and see if the rear deck was covered on the underside...sorry), but it didn't look like the trunk suffered from the rear reclining seats.
Okay, back to the driver's seat. I got back in for my 2nd opinion and grabbed the steering wheel, moved knobs, pushed buttons...everything seemed to be nicely weighted or have a very purposeful feel to it. It's clearly head and shoulders above the Genesis (which I have test driven). I truly wish I could have taken the Equus out for a spin because I would love to have experienced the suspension in both modes (there's a button on the center console that's labled 'Sport'). It definitely had the air suspension and I would love to have seen how that fared in comparison to that of the Azera and the Genesis.
Anyway, to wrap this up...the car itself is a site to behold in person, pictures truly do it no justice. I thought I liked the Genesis (my wife doesn't care for it), but I LOVE the Equus (so far). My wife even likes the Equus too...so much that she green-lighted me to get one when I'm ready to make that move.
From what the saleperson told me, the Equus will be moving around to various dealers so that folks can get an opportunity to get a look at it. So...be on the look out for the Equus at YOUR local dealer and if you get the chance to look at it...post your feedback!!!
I did also notice that the rear seats are heated and cooled as well. That's a huge improvement over the Genesis that only got the driver's seat with the heat/cool option.
At $48k, matching the price of th E350 is nice considering you are getting a car that is competing against the S-Class, 7-Series & LS. Even if the price tops out in the high $50k's for a fully loaded model...you're still getting a huge deal because fully loaded, the premium brand large sedans can push close to $80k.
oh no... only the LS460 can be fully loaded for under $80k (MSRP), and that's for the regular version not the long wheelbase version for $10k more. the Audi A8 with comparably underpowered 4.2 V8 is around $95k fully loaded; the new redesign will probably be even more expensive. BMW and Mercedes both are well north of $110k fully loaded (again, regular versions not the extended wheelbase). of course, many of the options (a $6k stereo upgrade, a $7k interior upgrade, $2k infrared night vision) are superfluous, but still the Equus even at $58,000 fully loaded will be barely half as expensive as the German equivalents. this would be more like the original LS400 circa 1989 for under $40k (around $65k in today's dollars).
Why does suspension/ride show up so many times in test drive reports for Hyundai upscale vehicles?
Thanks!!!!
The class to which the Equus aspires is one that is fairly conservative as to exterior appearance. For example, they have few, if any, flashy colors and very moderate use of chrome and “bling” on the exteriors.
Eliminate the license plate bump out, appendages under headlights, bright chrome wheels and hood ornament. Maybe, remove some of the other chrome trim. This is not a 1958 Buick.
The backseat amenities should be an option as many people will not want them. It is doubtful that families with teenagers or empty nesters will want to spend a lot of money on them.
The power door system is probably of little value to most people and may even be dangerous based on reports I have read.
Any radar cruise control should have an off switch so that standard cruise control can be used. The systems are just not that good.
Above all, fix the suspension and ride.
Equus holds a lot of promise and Hyundai definitely on the way up. It's biggest advantage will be the lower cost. Having looked at MB E, Lexus LS and Audi A6 recently, Hyundai has more for less, but in "badge power," it won't win and wouldn't even with a separate luxury brand and for many in this class, that's what counts.
http://www.hyundai-blog.com/index.php/2009/09/29/hyundai-equus-limousine/