Breaking: Hyundai Equus Flagship to Go On Sale in U.S. Next Year : Auto News (http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/08/breaking-hyundai-equus-flagship-to-go-on-sale-in-us-next-year.html)

http://www.autoguide.com/gallery/d/70661-3/asset_upload_file340_3061.jpg

Hyundai continues to shake up perceptions of what a Korean automaker can be, announcing today that it will offer its flagship Equus sedan in the U.S. starting next year.

The Equus is based on the same architecture as the Genesis, but is noticeably larger. Hyundai intends that it will compete with the world’s premiere luxury saloons including the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class and Lexus LS.

“We showed the car at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, and the response was fantastic,” says John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO. “Since then, we’ve had a fleet traveling around the country, capturing input from our dealers and consumers. Here, too, the response was extraordinarily positive, and similar to the market reaction to the award-winning Genesis, so we’ve decided to bring it to the U.S.”

And as though showcasing the car at the New York Auto Show wasn’t enough of a shock to the traditionalists, Hyundai will again display the vehicle this weekend at the ultra-prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Hyundai has yet to release specifications on the new model, but it’s certain to be offered with the company’s 375hp 4.6-liter V8. Recently we reported that the Korean automaker has also developed a 5.0-liter V8 engine as well, and there is a strong possibility that powerplant could be offered in North America.

Hyundai is also undecided on whether or not its flagship will keep it’s Korean-market name, indicating that the Equus badge may be dropped in favor of a more U.S.-friendly name.

I definitely think they should change its' name for the U.S. market. "Equus" bringing memories of the play and movie by the same name (blinded horses do not endear to Western sensibilities). Given the delightful nymphatic hood ornament that adorns the car I would like to suggest "Tinkerbell-ko" as its' U.S. and European name. I have heard, citing the same hood ornament, "Lolls-Loyce" as a potential name but I think this carries the Asian penchant for copying Western products too far!

P.S. "Pumpkin Puss" might be a fitting sobriquet, but even there Lincoln has beaten them to the punch!

This is a very impressive car no matter how you look at it. Sure, you can criticize the exterior - but how many people have criticized the exterior of the BMW 7-Series? Did that make it any less of a success? I think the Equus is a very attractive car with a lot of high tech gadgetry and plenty of power.. Again, this is a car I'd like to see Cadillac make...

Again, this is a car I'd like to see Cadillac make...

Same here. The Equus, like the Genesis, is looking to be a great car regardless of the badge that it wears; exactly the kind of flagship that Cadillac should have. And the reason that Hyundai gets to sell it here is because they didn't settle to compromise with the Genesis, as well as the "lesser" products in its lineup.

Every 2 years Hyundai changes it's "Luxury" Car entry. First it was thr Azura Limited (Still on the market); and then came the current Gensis, and now it's going to be the Equeus? To me, the best name was the Azura Limited, a car that I still think is the nicest looking car they have made, especially when ordered with the leather interior of "Chocolate" with a Pearl White exterior.

Sure, you can criticize the exterior - but how many people have criticized the exterior of the BMW 7-Series? ...

I loved the exterior of my 745is exterior styling. Didnt you have a 745 at one point? I thought i remember seeing you at the BMW forums asking about a wood steering wheel a long while back? I could be wrong so sorry in advance if I mistaken.

Every 2 years Hyundai changes it's "Luxury" Car entry. First it was thr Azura Limited (Still on the market); and then came the current Gensis, and now it's going to be the Equeus? To me, the best name was the Azura Limited, a car that I still think is the nicest looking car they have made, especially when ordered with the leather interior of "Chocolate" with a Pearl White exterior.

The first Hyundai "luxury" car in America was the XG300 - which became the XG350 before being replaced by the Azera.. Then came Genesis and now comes Equus.. I'm not all that concerned with car names. If I like a car, it could be called "Penis" for all I care. The name just means very little to me.

I loved the exterior of my 745is exterior styling. Didnt you have a 745 at one point? I thought i remember seeing you at the BMW forums asking about a wood steering wheel a long while back? I could be wrong so sorry in advance if I mistaken.

750Li.. Yes.. I'm in and out of cars quite often as I have a couple of close relatives in the business...

What concerned me about the success of this car when it was announced was Hyundai talking a 60K price point. That is certainly less than the competition, but it's getting potential buyers to accept paying that kind of cash for a Hyundai when they still have yet to fully establish themselves in this kind of market.
Despite the Lexus LS being a fine car when it was introduced, it took years before it was truly accepted into that market and drew buyers from the other established brands like Mercedes.

Unless I'm mistaken, the Equus is going to start out in the high $40k range.. You can find discussion in regards at www.equusforums.com

The $60k price tag should be or the top-end model (larger displacement 5.0 Tau engine) fully loaded. I wouldn't be surprised to see $62k at all.. However, Hyundai HAS hinted that $60k will be tops.. For this day and age, $48k is a pretty decent deal for a vehicle like the Equus..

Looking there it seems the car mags are still speculative (as they should be considering nothing offical is announced). We'll just have to wait and see like many things that are not quite out yet.

YES XG300 was the first !!!! After I posted that, I went out. At the 3rd traffic light, guess what was in front of me? XG300 ! I had totally forgotten about that !
Still like the Azura Limited the best. I think they a r beautiful...but gotta be the Pearl white/Chocolate combo.

If it starts at $48G, I guess it could be in consideration. But, really, an L Genesis would be much better. Besides, I can get a lightly used LS460L for not much more than the Equus.


IDK, Lincoln let the TC go to rot and I'm paying the price...

My dad has a pearl white Azera Limited, and the paint does look gorgeous. It only has the beige leather, though, but it's pretty nice too. The chocolate brown does look yummy :) I wish more cars would offer richer interior upholstery options like this, instead of the same old boring black/grey/beige.

If it starts at $48G, I guess it could be in consideration. But, really, an L Genesis would be much better. Besides, I can get a lightly used LS460L for not much more than the Equus.


IDK, Lincoln let the TC go to rot and I'm paying the price...
The Equus would be a better replacement for the Town Car. It has the legroom AND the width.. The Genesis doesn't have the width of a Town Car or Fleetwood...

The Equus would be a better replacement for the Town Car. It has the legroom AND the width.. The Genesis doesn't have the width of a Town Car or Fleetwood...
I don't need the width as much as the length. And the Equus doesn't have nearly what my TC L has. The Genesis L at least has a shot to come close...

yep I love my towncar. That car never tried to be the best at everything but focused on one thing. Luxury and smooth ride. I hate when people say oh the TC has a weak engine or it handles badly. Ford could have easily shoved a dohc 4.6 in there and call it a day but that defeats the purpose of the car. The Towncar to me is the last great luxury cruiser. So many cars today try to be the best of everything and most fail in some aspect. I actually think its way too seen for Hyundai to release another luxury car on these shores. Even though its been many years people are still trying to get the taste of the scoupe and excel out of thier mouths. That said I still think the new Hyundais even the accent are very dependable and well built cars.

The Genesis is what I wish the Seville would have become.

This ups the ante one again for Cadillac. Sadly, I don't see us competing in a VERY long time.

I too, love my 2003 Town Car. It's the "Spring Special" (2003) called THE LIMITED. Has perforated seats, extra interior wood, unique wheels, & a little bit more chrome. I have NO aftermarket jazz on it - it's all stock. It glides over pot holes, and with the then new Watts suspension, it's no longer a piggy going around bends. I love the power open & power close trunk feature and the in dash CD and the in dash cassette and the trunk mounted 6-disc CD, mine has THE two options when you get the Limited:- Power MoonRoof & thin WW stripe tires. I love the way you can leave a cornering lamp "ON" with the headlights after you turn off the engine & the cornering lamp stays illuminated TOO, illuminating the SIDE as well as the front. Great cars. 2010 is THE last.

I don't need the width as much as the length. And the Equus doesn't have nearly what my TC L has. The Genesis L at least has a shot to come close...
What does the Genesis have to offer that the Equus doesn't?

What does the Genesis have to offer that the Equus doesn't?
A much more competitive price with the potential for near TC L interior rear seat room if they import the L...