Hyundai Equus: Asian Luxury Evolves

Motoring Channel Staff - 17/March/2009

Seoul, Korea – It cost more than $500 million dollars to develop, it's longer than a Holden Statesman, heavier than an Audi A8 and cheaper than a BMW 7 Series.

It is the Hyundai Equus, which is expected to put Korea on the luxury car map. 

The Equus will rival cars such as those above mentioned and the Mercedes-Benz S Class, Lexus LS and Jaguar XJ series.

Powered by a 3.8-litre V6 or a 4.6-litre V8 engine, the rear-wheel drive luxury sedans are very large, measuring 5.16 metres long and 1.9 metres wide.

The new model is decked out with all the luxury trimmings, finished with leather upholstery and woodgrain trim.

Hyundai's Equus luxury limo is a 2+2 seater and is packed with high end features plus a few unique items.

These include a heated steering wheel (along with seat cushions and backrests), plus a seat cooling system, a drink chiller and front and rear video cameras to eliminate blind spots.

Acoustics will be handled by a high-end 17-speaker Lexicon sound system and full colour 3.5-inch display nestled between the speedometer and the tachometer 'provides a rich variety of information' including tyre pressures, audio-visual system settings and lane departure warning information.

Some models will even get a rear-seat massaging system like the Lexus LS600hL.

The entry-level Equus VS380 costs 63.7 million won, which would translate to about $65,500 in Australia. 

The range-topping VS460 fetches 105 million won, or about $108,000, and Hyundai has plans to launch a long wheelbase version of the Equus which will be powered by a 5.0-litre V8 'Tau' engine.

At the moment the vehicle is only on sale in South Korea, but when you spend half a billion dollars developing a new vehicle you can be sure that some of that investment went into enticing international customers.

Hyundai has plans to export the car to China and the Middle East this year, and more markets are expected to be green-lit in 2010.

Engines

Two engines will initially be offered, a V6 and V8, followed by a larger V8 for the long-wheel base Equus which will be launched later in the year.

The V6 has been widely used in other Hyundai models and has been tweaked for slightly more power in the Equus, and the V8 has also been used in the Genesis sedan. Vital statistics are as follows:

3.8-litre V6 petrol
Power: 213kW
Torque: 358Nm
Fuel Economy: 10.8L/100km

4.6-litre V8 petrol
Power: 269kW
Torque: 439Nm
Fuel Economy: 11.4L/100km

Considering these cars weigh between 1,875 and 2,025kg, the fuel consumption figures are very reasonable.

Chassis

Hyundai explains that the Equus rides on 5-link suspension at the front and rear, which help to optimise ride quality. To improve shock control over the wheels, Hyundai worked in partnership with ZF-SACHS to develop Amplitude Selective Dampers (ASD) and air suspension is electronically governed to minimise body roll, nose-diving and other undesirable characteristics.

The Equus also gets an electronic parking brake which is automatically released once the vehicle is put into drive gear.

Hyundai's V6 Equus models will be shod with 235/55 R17 tyres, while the V8 versions get 245/45 R19 front tyres and 275/40 R19 rears.

Safety

A number of safety features combine to form 'Vehicle Stability Management' in the Equus, which integrates the Lane Departure Warning System, Pre-Safety System, Third Generation Smart Cruise Control (SCC) and other sub-systems to provide unparalleled active and passive safety according to Hyundai. 

As well as its various driving aids, the Pre-Safety System can automatically apply the brakes if it detect a collision is unavoidable.

Hyundai's flagship luxury car also comes with nine airbags: knee Air Bag for the driver plus two front, four side and two side curtain airbags. 

In addition to video cameras front and rear, a the new Parking Guidance System can assist the driver the to reverse park the car. 

Launched in the capital of Seoul, in front of hundreds of VIP guests including South Korea's Prime Minister Han Seung-Soo, the Equus is crucial turning point for the South Korean car industry.

The Equus will need to prove its mettle in a contracting luxury limousine market, but if it succeeds it could emulate Lexus and outsell its German rivals in major markets like North America.

Related Links:
- Hyundai i20 (2009)
- Hyundai i30cw (2009)
- Hyundai i30 (Road Test)
- Hyundai Getz (Road Test)
- Hyundai HED 6 ix-ONIC Concept (2009)
- Hyundai Grandeur (2009)
- Hyundai Sonata (2009)
- Hyundai Genesis Coupe (2010)
- Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe (2009)
- Hyundai Genesis (2008)
- Hyundai Santa Fe (Road Test)