Hyundai: Equus News
#81
Fahrvergnügen'd
That's a really nice looking luxo-barge.
Lexus copied the best parts of Mercedes with the first LS400 and had a hit. Infiniti tried to be unique and bombed with their first Q45.
Hyundai obviously learned Infiniti's lesson with the first Q45 (which was a very good car).
Go safe, then innovate after the marque/car is established.
Lexus copied the best parts of Mercedes with the first LS400 and had a hit. Infiniti tried to be unique and bombed with their first Q45.
Hyundai obviously learned Infiniti's lesson with the first Q45 (which was a very good car).
Go safe, then innovate after the marque/car is established.
#82
What Would Don Draper Do?
i agree that it's safe and conservative for hyundai to copy the designs and ideas from other cars and roll it into one vehicle. is it boring? yes. the side profile looks like a bland version of the LS, which is already a pretty bland car.
however, at least the designs look fluid for the most part. and i'd rather see hyundai do this than 1) try and fail with unique designs ala acura and 2) make horrible copies as they've done in the past when they tried to make their cars look like jaguars.
they can be more innovative and creative later on. that's ok with me.
with that said, it's a good looking car for the most part. i like it until i get to the rear. i don't like the sloping rear, and it just doesn't look like it fits the car. the wheels are boring. i hate that emblem that's on the hood. i don't even like it on MBs. but the interior looks the best out of hyundai's lineup.
however, at least the designs look fluid for the most part. and i'd rather see hyundai do this than 1) try and fail with unique designs ala acura and 2) make horrible copies as they've done in the past when they tried to make their cars look like jaguars.
they can be more innovative and creative later on. that's ok with me.
with that said, it's a good looking car for the most part. i like it until i get to the rear. i don't like the sloping rear, and it just doesn't look like it fits the car. the wheels are boring. i hate that emblem that's on the hood. i don't even like it on MBs. but the interior looks the best out of hyundai's lineup.
#83
office monkey
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LOL....It's was ok for the Japanese to copy the Germans. But it's not ok for the Korean to copy the Japanese? Double standard FTL .
From what I am seeing, I am very impressed by Hyundai. Going to RWD while the Japanese stuck to FWD is a bold move. So what you will, the Korean's are coming up in force.
From what I am seeing, I am very impressed by Hyundai. Going to RWD while the Japanese stuck to FWD is a bold move. So what you will, the Korean's are coming up in force.
Second, what are you talking about how the Japanese stuck to FWD? So Acura is your only Japanese brand? Last time I checked all but one Lexus model is RWD/AWD, Infiniti's are RWD/AWD. Sure Toyota and such are FWD but so are Hyundai's other models other than this and the genesis and they will stay that way. If you are comparing this and the genesis to the toyota/nissan/honda models then well, you're insane since they are clearly aimed at the luxury lines.
As for this car, I think the exterior is "meh" but the interior looks nice and seems incredibly loaded. My problem is the exterior looks like a wannabe LS460 but the LS460 pulls it off while this doesn't. I think the Genesis looks better than this. Regardless, it is nice to see Hyundai stepping up. The Genesis coupe looks badass.
#84
The sizzle in the Steak
@ the ridiculous hood ornament
#86
#88
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
^ i doubt they will get sued for this.
#92
Beyond the extent that most 4 door sedans nowadays look the same, the LS and Equus don't look at all alike.
Here are some areas to look at in particular:
1) The LS has a side body crease that goes front to back. The Equus has a broken crease, straight from the front till the rear doors and then a curved crease to the back.
2) The side windows in the Equus are higher from the crease than the LS.
3) The rear door and windows look nothing alike between the LS and Equus.
Here are some areas to look at in particular:
1) The LS has a side body crease that goes front to back. The Equus has a broken crease, straight from the front till the rear doors and then a curved crease to the back.
2) The side windows in the Equus are higher from the crease than the LS.
3) The rear door and windows look nothing alike between the LS and Equus.
#94
Of course it does, when you take the best parts from other brands and put them together, it's going to look good!
I'm not saying this car isn't attractive. I think it, as well as the Genesis, is good looking.
But it's not original in design, which I really wish Hyundai would stop doing.
I don't buy the argument that the Japanese used to copy so-so when they were new, so it gives Hyundai the right do so. You see hints of different design elements borrowed in all car designs, even now. What makes Hyundai stand out is that they have been doing this since day 1. 20 years is a long time, I think they've grown beyond their teething years to be allowed to continue siphoning off other car designs.
I'm not saying this car isn't attractive. I think it, as well as the Genesis, is good looking.
But it's not original in design, which I really wish Hyundai would stop doing.
I don't buy the argument that the Japanese used to copy so-so when they were new, so it gives Hyundai the right do so. You see hints of different design elements borrowed in all car designs, even now. What makes Hyundai stand out is that they have been doing this since day 1. 20 years is a long time, I think they've grown beyond their teething years to be allowed to continue siphoning off other car designs.
#95
Racer
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REPORT: Hyundai Equus coming to the States in July 2010, priced under $60,000
REPORT: Hyundai Equus coming to the States in July 2010, priced under $60,000
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/29/r...y-2010-priced/
cool
According to an anonymous source at Hyundai, buyers in the U.S. will get their first crack at the Hyundai Equus sedan beginning next July, with a cost of entry somewhere south of $60,000.
The Genesis-based sedan, which stretches a little over seven inches longer than Hyundai's first attempt at entry-level luxury, is available in Korea with either the Genesis' 3.8-liter V6 or 4.6-liter V8. However, Stateside buyers will only be able to purchase the bent-eight model when sales begin next summer.
Hyundai's primary aim with the Equus is to compete with the similarly priced Lexus LS460 ($64,700), while offering more luxury amenities including reclining rear seats, massagers and LCD displays. According to Rick Case, the owner of six Hyundai dealerships in North America, "It won't be a volume model for us. It will be a halo car for the brand." If you want to scope out the Korean-market Equus before sales begin next year, 100 sedans are currently available for evaluation at dealerships across the country.
The Genesis-based sedan, which stretches a little over seven inches longer than Hyundai's first attempt at entry-level luxury, is available in Korea with either the Genesis' 3.8-liter V6 or 4.6-liter V8. However, Stateside buyers will only be able to purchase the bent-eight model when sales begin next summer.
Hyundai's primary aim with the Equus is to compete with the similarly priced Lexus LS460 ($64,700), while offering more luxury amenities including reclining rear seats, massagers and LCD displays. According to Rick Case, the owner of six Hyundai dealerships in North America, "It won't be a volume model for us. It will be a halo car for the brand." If you want to scope out the Korean-market Equus before sales begin next year, 100 sedans are currently available for evaluation at dealerships across the country.
cool
#97
The sizzle in the Steak
It better be prices FAR below 64k.....otherwise it will be DOA.
Say what you want....this may be the best Lux sedan in the world, but badge still means a lot.....you have to earn it with a rep that takes years.
Say what you want....this may be the best Lux sedan in the world, but badge still means a lot.....you have to earn it with a rep that takes years.
#98
Go Big Blue!
They need one more product before they can consider breaking out with a separate brand and dealership network. Not quite there yet but it will be coming in another few years I suspect.
#99
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
you know.. it's definitely NOT going to sell with that price tag not beacuse of the car itself but because of the whole Hyundai dealership experience. It just suck. The salesmen know nothing. They are purely arrogant.
I read it somewhere that the Genesis would have been a bigger hit, if the Hyundai salemen were a little more intelligent and kind. Looking at this from the marketing perspective, this thing is a pretty serious issue in terms of building up a strong and luxury brand equity.
If I was the head of the Hyundai US division, the first thing I would do to the brand would be training the sale staff.
In terms of customer service, Lexus fuck the world. Stop imitating the design aspects of automobile, start copying the premium, memorable dealership experience.
my noob
I read it somewhere that the Genesis would have been a bigger hit, if the Hyundai salemen were a little more intelligent and kind. Looking at this from the marketing perspective, this thing is a pretty serious issue in terms of building up a strong and luxury brand equity.
If I was the head of the Hyundai US division, the first thing I would do to the brand would be training the sale staff.
In terms of customer service, Lexus fuck the world. Stop imitating the design aspects of automobile, start copying the premium, memorable dealership experience.
my noob
#100
Go Big Blue!
^^ I agree, this will be hard rowing until they get a separate badge and dealership for these cars. They know it. They haven't done much stupid yet so I suspect their expectations are reasonable and the price will be discounted to adjust for that. Those who want the discount more than the dealer experience will be early adopters of these products. Others will sit and wait. I will be one of those who sit and wait.
#101
The sizzle in the Steak
Learn from VW....the Phaeton was a fantastic car....but nobody wanted to drop +60k on a VW. The badge & the dealership level was a deal breaker....the car however was fantastic.
#102
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
how about Hondai
#103
Chloe @ 17mo
you know.. it's definitely NOT going to sell with that price tag not beacuse of the car itself but because of the whole Hyundai dealership experience. It just suck. The salesmen know nothing. They are purely arrogant.
I read it somewhere that the Genesis would have been a bigger hit, if the Hyundai salemen were a little more intelligent and kind. Looking at this from the marketing perspective, this thing is a pretty serious issue in terms of building up a strong and luxury brand equity.
If I was the head of the Hyundai US division, the first thing I would do to the brand would be training the sale staff.
In terms of customer service, Lexus fuck the world. Stop imitating the design aspects of automobile, start copying the premium, memorable dealership experience.
my noob
I read it somewhere that the Genesis would have been a bigger hit, if the Hyundai salemen were a little more intelligent and kind. Looking at this from the marketing perspective, this thing is a pretty serious issue in terms of building up a strong and luxury brand equity.
If I was the head of the Hyundai US division, the first thing I would do to the brand would be training the sale staff.
In terms of customer service, Lexus fuck the world. Stop imitating the design aspects of automobile, start copying the premium, memorable dealership experience.
my noob
#104
6G TLX-S
Agree. The VW Phaeton was a classic example of doomed-to-fail when an cheap economy brand tried to sell an unusually high-priced car.
#105
The sizzle in the Steak
#106
Go Big Blue!
In the case of Hyundai, I suspect they understand that since their plan isn't to just offer one oddball high line car. They are marching forward to a multi vehicle lineup and will probably break it away when they get that third offering. That's good because we all realize they'll need to do that if they want to have success with Equus. A $30k-$40k Genesis is one thing. A lot of people can afford that. A $60k+ car is a different story. You're customer base is really shrinking at that price, and, those customers are probably not going to want an after sale Hyundai experience.
#107
You mean the "eyebrow" turn signal that Mercedes now also uses?
And actually, Buick came up w/ it first on the Rendevous - so does this mean Mercedes copied BMW which copied Buick?
That's strictly for the Korean market - limo class models in Japan have the hood ornament as well (The Mitsu version of the original Equus, the Proudia, also had a hood ornament).
And the problem w/ the Phaeton first and foremost was its price - starting at $67k and going over $100k for the top of the line model (otoh, the top of the line Equus will be sub $60k).
Not much of a savings, esp. when the A8 could be had for a few thousand more.
Anyway, Hyundai isn't expecting the Equus to be a big seller; it more or less is an exercise prior to launching a lux brand down the road.
As for dealer experience, yeah, Hyundai needs to work on that, but the buyers of the Equus are likely to be value-purchasers (the type who shop at Costco) and aren't really driven by image.
Last edited by YEH; 07-05-2009 at 07:53 PM.
#108
The "eyebrow" was originally on the Buick, but BMW only borrowed the concept. They made it their own, because the two look nothing alike.
The Hyundai, on the other hand, has the "eyebrow" that look looks identical to the BMW. Notice the curve at the top left corner of each headlight? Yeah.
And I know you're going to respond by pointing out the lame little differences, like you tried to do with the Kia Forte. Um yeah, hello, of course they're going to tweak the details to make it look a little different.
#109
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
^ just ignore him.
#111
Go Big Blue!
Doesn't everybody copy everybody? Designers copy from each other those things that were successful in the prior year adding their own tweaks. As a result, the 2009 MB E350, BMW 535, Audi A6, Acura RL, Equus, etc., all look stuningly the same when sitting next to a 55 Chevy Belair. Now if someone introduced a car like the 55 Chevy in 2009 then no one could acuse them of copying any current design cues. Short of that, it seems everything is a subtle copy of the other and I'm not loosing any sleep over it.
The only thing that bugs me is when someone copies an iconic design to try and steal some of the mojo from the other brand. Example; Mitsubishi using the Audi drop jaw on the Lancer Evolution. Shameless.
The only thing that bugs me is when someone copies an iconic design to try and steal some of the mojo from the other brand. Example; Mitsubishi using the Audi drop jaw on the Lancer Evolution. Shameless.
#112
The sizzle in the Steak
And let's not forget $60k+ Sequoias and Land Cruisers sitting next to the Yaris and Scions.
You mean the "eyebrow" turn signal that Mercedes now also uses?
And actually, Buick came up w/ it first on the Rendevous - so does this mean Mercedes copied BMW which copied Buick?
That's strictly for the Korean market - limo class models in Japan have the hood ornament as well (The Mitsu version of the original Equus, the Proudia, also had a hood ornament).
Hyundai will likely spin off Genesis as a sub-brand and in time set up a new dealer network.
And the problem w/ the Phaeton first and foremost was its price - starting at $67k and going over $100k for the top of the line model (otoh, the top of the line Equus will be sub $60k).
Not much of a savings, esp. when the A8 could be had for a few thousand more.
Anyway, Hyundai isn't expecting the Equus to be a big seller; it more or less is an exercise prior to launching a lux brand down the road.
As for dealer experience, yeah, Hyundai needs to work on that, but the buyers of the Equus are likely to be value-purchasers (the type who shop at Costco) and aren't really driven by image.
You mean the "eyebrow" turn signal that Mercedes now also uses?
And actually, Buick came up w/ it first on the Rendevous - so does this mean Mercedes copied BMW which copied Buick?
That's strictly for the Korean market - limo class models in Japan have the hood ornament as well (The Mitsu version of the original Equus, the Proudia, also had a hood ornament).
Hyundai will likely spin off Genesis as a sub-brand and in time set up a new dealer network.
And the problem w/ the Phaeton first and foremost was its price - starting at $67k and going over $100k for the top of the line model (otoh, the top of the line Equus will be sub $60k).
Not much of a savings, esp. when the A8 could be had for a few thousand more.
Anyway, Hyundai isn't expecting the Equus to be a big seller; it more or less is an exercise prior to launching a lux brand down the road.
As for dealer experience, yeah, Hyundai needs to work on that, but the buyers of the Equus are likely to be value-purchasers (the type who shop at Costco) and aren't really driven by image.
#115
#116
#118
idk guys.... i think a lot of people are thinking of what other people might think of the car if they had it. the new hyundai cars like the genesis, gen coupe, and the equus are great cars. both genesis and gen coupe i would buy. but for the price of the equus i would probably go with the LS. however they are all great designs. and also hyundai, toyota, and nissan are all more reliable than bimmers and benzs. however, if you think about what the bmw's and merc's demographics are (upper middle class and upper class), they're not really meant to be used for more than 3 to 5 years... idk im just saying theres nothing wrong with going with what you want whether its what you like or what other people will think of you.
#119
6G TLX-S
Doesn't everybody copy everybody? Designers copy from each other those things that were successful in the prior year adding their own tweaks. As a result, the 2009 MB E350, BMW 535, Audi A6, Acura RL, Equus, etc., all look stuningly the same when sitting next to a 55 Chevy Belair. Now if someone introduced a car like the 55 Chevy in 2009 then no one could acuse them of copying any current design cues. Short of that, it seems everything is a subtle copy of the other and I'm not loosing any sleep over it.
The only thing that bugs me is when someone copies an iconic design to try and steal some of the mojo from the other brand. Example; Mitsubishi using the Audi drop jaw on the Lancer Evolution. Shameless.
The only thing that bugs me is when someone copies an iconic design to try and steal some of the mojo from the other brand. Example; Mitsubishi using the Audi drop jaw on the Lancer Evolution. Shameless.
#120
2011 Hyundai Equus First Ride
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..3.*
We Get a Ride in Hyundai's New S-Class Fighter
By Scott Oldham, Editor in Chief
Date posted: 07-15-2009
We hang a right and head west onto the 10 freeway in Santa Monica toward the beach. The on-ramp is downhill, two lanes wide and drag-strip straight.
Suddenly I'm pinned to the large leather seat as the 2011 Hyundai Equus downshifts from 6th gear to 2nd and its 368-horsepower 4.6-liter Lambda V8 yanks the big sedan toward the Pacific. I look at the tach. Its needle is sweeping quickly through its arc as a muted V8 rumble chases us from behind. At 6,500 rpm, the transmission delivers a quick but smooth upshift just as we reach the traffic lanes of Interstate 10.
"Is that floored?" I ask, one eye still on the dials.
"That's floored," says John Krafcik.
He should know — he's driving. The left seat of the Equus is still off-limits to American journalists. But Krafcik is more than just our chauffeur; he's the president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, and the man basking in the glow of the company's recent success. He's also the guy who's going to sell the Equus in the United States, taking Hyundai north of the $50,000 barrier for the first time.
On Sale in a Year
With John's right foot still buried in the thick carpet of the Equus, the sedan delivers another smooth shift at redline. I check the speedometer; it's reading about 140 and climbing. Can't be, I think to myself. The car feels quick, but not that quick. I clutch the door panel while my brain tries to catch up. Then I realize the speedometer is in kilometers per hour, so I start doing math.
Krafcik keeps his foot down and his mouth moving. "The car is still about a year away," he says, talking about the possible timetable for the introduction of the Korean-built luxury sedan in the U.S. "And we'll most likely sell it here as the Equus." Equus is Latin for "horse," and the car's entry into the U.S. market has been the worst kept secret since Henry Ford leaked word about the flathead V8 back in 1931. We're told the official official announcement of the car's sales future in the U.S. will come in mid-August.
At 160 km/h, Krafcik finally backs off. That's about 100 mph, and from the passenger seat I'm impressed with the ride and stability of the Equus. It's a bit firmer than I thought it would be. It's not quite as tied down as a Hyundai Genesis, but it's not the floaty Korean-market limo I was expecting. You definitely feel the road, although there's a little less rebound control than there should be.
Traffic is light as we reach the short tunnel that marks the transition from the I-10 west to the northbound Pacific Coast Highway. We enter the darkness and then quickly burst into the noontime California sunshine again. I ask about the suspension tuning. "It's not quite really ready yet," says Krafcik. "Right now our engineering team is on a cross-country drive with an Equus, an S-Class, a 7 Series and a Lexus LS. We're there with the interior, but they are fine-tuning the ride and handling. Make no mistake, our targets are those three cars and our ride and handling will be more in the direction of the LS 460 L."
Ballsy. The strategy, not the driving. Hyundai has decided to take on three of the best sedans in the world.
Priced Right
Still northbound on PCH, we're cruising within the 50-mph speed limit and past the Malibu beachfront homes of Hollywood's super-rich. This is S-Class and 7 Series country, and Krafcik knows it. All around us are the people he must convince to buy a Hyundai instead of a Benz, Bimmer or Lexus.
It'll be tough, and Krafcik hedges his bet. "Our goal with the Equus isn't volume," he says while passing a black Mercedes-Benz S550 on the right. "It's image. We want to show the world we can make the finest sedans in the world."
He's right about one thing, because the interior of this Equus is up to the challenge. The fit and finish is exceptional. The leather is soft. The seat is cush and comfortable, if a little flat, and the headliner is an acre of Alcantara suede, just like you get in an S65 AMG. There's even French stitching on the leather-wrapped dash. The metallic trim on the center stack and console is plastic and not real aluminum, though. It looks good, but should be the real thing.
No, it's not quite as nice inside the Equus as in the interiors of the luxury sedans it has targeted in the marketplace, but it's close, and the Equus should undercut those sedans by $20,000 or more. Krafcik won't get specific on price, but says enough for us to guess that the 2011 Hyundai Equus will start at $48,000 and top out at about $58,000.
"Our challenge is to make sure it doesn't become the next VW Phaeton," Krafcik notes. Keeping the price under $60,000 seems to be a key to achieving that goal. "There will be two packages," he continues. "A base car and one with all the backseat stuff."
That "stuff" includes a reclining rear seat, fold-out tables, and radio and climate controls built into the rear armrest. The Lexus LS 460L offers a similar package, although it's really only for those who would rather be driven than drive themselves.
Wider Than S-Class
Stopped at a red light, I take the opportunity to look around a bit more. The odometer reads 1,792 km (a little over 1,100 miles). The A-pillars are carved carefully to permit a panoramic view ahead. There are heated and cooled front seats with three-level temperature adjustment. There's a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, wood on portions of the steering wheel rim and an elegant clock on the center stack. I can't hear the engine, which is idling at 600 rpm. The window switches, shifter, iDrive-like interface controller and navigation system are all plucked right from the Hyundai Genesis. The gauges are similar to the ones in the Genesis, as is the four-spoke steering wheel. And there's a "Sport" button just to the right of the shifter.
I also notice that the car feels spacious. Nice and wide, which it is. In fact at 74.8 inches wide, the Equus is the same width as a BMW 7 Series and a full inch wider than the Lexus LS and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
The light turns green. Krafcik accelerates away, only part throttle this time. And the Equus moves off like an upscale luxury sedan powered by a V8 should — with authority. Upshifts from the six-speed automatic are nearly imperceptible and the V8's flat torque curve gets the Equus back up to 50 mph well ahead of Malibu's afternoon traffic of surfers.
We're not surprised. The Equus features the same powertrain we've praised in the Genesis, and it feels just as good in this larger package. What is surprising is that the larger Equus weighs only 200 pounds more than a Genesis, which makes it easy to calculate some educated guesses about its acceleration times.
The 2009 Hyundai Genesis V8 we last tested hit 60 mph from a standstill in 5.9 seconds (5.7 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip) and finished the quarter-mile in 14.1 seconds at 101 mph. After some 'rithmetic on our part, we expect the Equus to hit 60 mph in 6.1 seconds (5.9 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip) and cover the quarter-mile in 14.3 seconds at 99 mph. Not slow, yet certainly slower than an S550, a 750i or an LS 460.
Also from the Genesis are the rack-and-pinion steering with old-school hydraulic assist (still our preference over electric-assist systems) and four-wheel disc brakes. The Equus also has air suspension, although only Genesis sedans sold in Korea are equipped with this feature.
Looks Like a Lexus
Just past the Malibu Country Mart (made famous by TMZ), a guy in a Porsche 911 Turbo pulls alongside us. He's checking out the car. Our car — the Hyundai. And he's not the only one. Since we hit Malibu, there's been no missing the ability of the Equus to make people look. Even the tourists in their rented Grabber-Blue Mustangs know this Hyundai is something special.
It may be a dead ringer for a Lexus LS from the rear, but the Equus certainly has enough street presence for valets to keep it up front. "The two character lines in the side are from the California studio," says Krafcik. "In fact, there's more U.S. influence in the design of the Equus than the Genesis." There's certainly enough chrome on its flanks to back up that statement.
And it looks larger than it is. At 203.1 inches long, the Equus is just a fraction of an inch longer than a Lexus LS 460 L and nearly 2 inches shorter than a Mercedes S-Class. Meanwhile, its 119.9-inch wheelbase falls between the dimensions of the long-wheelbase LS and the short version. Even the short-wheelbase 7 Series has an inch-longer wheelbase than the Equus.
Full Speed Ahead
Once we reach Pepperdine University, we flip around and head south toward Santa Monica again. It's now that I realize how quiet the Hyundai's interior is. At 100 km/h (about 60 mph) over the smooth asphalt that is PCH, all I hear is some tire slap from the 18-inch Hankooks.
Time to ask about that Sport button. "It's for the suspension," says Krafcik. "Push it, see what happens."
I do, and suddenly the Equus is the floaty Korean-market limo I was expecting. "Wow, big difference," I say, pushing the button again and getting the air suspension back into Sport mode. "Don't go there."
Krafcik first came to Hyundai Motor America in 2004 as the company's vice president of product development and strategic planning, and his home garage is stuffed full with a Porsche 911 C2S (997) and a Caterham 7, so I know he knows what I mean.
And at that moment Krafcik nails the throttle and redlines a couple of gears. "Feels good, huh?" he asks.
Yeah, he knows.
By Scott Oldham, Editor in Chief
Date posted: 07-15-2009
We hang a right and head west onto the 10 freeway in Santa Monica toward the beach. The on-ramp is downhill, two lanes wide and drag-strip straight.
Suddenly I'm pinned to the large leather seat as the 2011 Hyundai Equus downshifts from 6th gear to 2nd and its 368-horsepower 4.6-liter Lambda V8 yanks the big sedan toward the Pacific. I look at the tach. Its needle is sweeping quickly through its arc as a muted V8 rumble chases us from behind. At 6,500 rpm, the transmission delivers a quick but smooth upshift just as we reach the traffic lanes of Interstate 10.
"Is that floored?" I ask, one eye still on the dials.
"That's floored," says John Krafcik.
He should know — he's driving. The left seat of the Equus is still off-limits to American journalists. But Krafcik is more than just our chauffeur; he's the president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, and the man basking in the glow of the company's recent success. He's also the guy who's going to sell the Equus in the United States, taking Hyundai north of the $50,000 barrier for the first time.
On Sale in a Year
With John's right foot still buried in the thick carpet of the Equus, the sedan delivers another smooth shift at redline. I check the speedometer; it's reading about 140 and climbing. Can't be, I think to myself. The car feels quick, but not that quick. I clutch the door panel while my brain tries to catch up. Then I realize the speedometer is in kilometers per hour, so I start doing math.
Krafcik keeps his foot down and his mouth moving. "The car is still about a year away," he says, talking about the possible timetable for the introduction of the Korean-built luxury sedan in the U.S. "And we'll most likely sell it here as the Equus." Equus is Latin for "horse," and the car's entry into the U.S. market has been the worst kept secret since Henry Ford leaked word about the flathead V8 back in 1931. We're told the official official announcement of the car's sales future in the U.S. will come in mid-August.
At 160 km/h, Krafcik finally backs off. That's about 100 mph, and from the passenger seat I'm impressed with the ride and stability of the Equus. It's a bit firmer than I thought it would be. It's not quite as tied down as a Hyundai Genesis, but it's not the floaty Korean-market limo I was expecting. You definitely feel the road, although there's a little less rebound control than there should be.
Traffic is light as we reach the short tunnel that marks the transition from the I-10 west to the northbound Pacific Coast Highway. We enter the darkness and then quickly burst into the noontime California sunshine again. I ask about the suspension tuning. "It's not quite really ready yet," says Krafcik. "Right now our engineering team is on a cross-country drive with an Equus, an S-Class, a 7 Series and a Lexus LS. We're there with the interior, but they are fine-tuning the ride and handling. Make no mistake, our targets are those three cars and our ride and handling will be more in the direction of the LS 460 L."
Ballsy. The strategy, not the driving. Hyundai has decided to take on three of the best sedans in the world.
Priced Right
Still northbound on PCH, we're cruising within the 50-mph speed limit and past the Malibu beachfront homes of Hollywood's super-rich. This is S-Class and 7 Series country, and Krafcik knows it. All around us are the people he must convince to buy a Hyundai instead of a Benz, Bimmer or Lexus.
It'll be tough, and Krafcik hedges his bet. "Our goal with the Equus isn't volume," he says while passing a black Mercedes-Benz S550 on the right. "It's image. We want to show the world we can make the finest sedans in the world."
He's right about one thing, because the interior of this Equus is up to the challenge. The fit and finish is exceptional. The leather is soft. The seat is cush and comfortable, if a little flat, and the headliner is an acre of Alcantara suede, just like you get in an S65 AMG. There's even French stitching on the leather-wrapped dash. The metallic trim on the center stack and console is plastic and not real aluminum, though. It looks good, but should be the real thing.
No, it's not quite as nice inside the Equus as in the interiors of the luxury sedans it has targeted in the marketplace, but it's close, and the Equus should undercut those sedans by $20,000 or more. Krafcik won't get specific on price, but says enough for us to guess that the 2011 Hyundai Equus will start at $48,000 and top out at about $58,000.
"Our challenge is to make sure it doesn't become the next VW Phaeton," Krafcik notes. Keeping the price under $60,000 seems to be a key to achieving that goal. "There will be two packages," he continues. "A base car and one with all the backseat stuff."
That "stuff" includes a reclining rear seat, fold-out tables, and radio and climate controls built into the rear armrest. The Lexus LS 460L offers a similar package, although it's really only for those who would rather be driven than drive themselves.
Wider Than S-Class
Stopped at a red light, I take the opportunity to look around a bit more. The odometer reads 1,792 km (a little over 1,100 miles). The A-pillars are carved carefully to permit a panoramic view ahead. There are heated and cooled front seats with three-level temperature adjustment. There's a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, wood on portions of the steering wheel rim and an elegant clock on the center stack. I can't hear the engine, which is idling at 600 rpm. The window switches, shifter, iDrive-like interface controller and navigation system are all plucked right from the Hyundai Genesis. The gauges are similar to the ones in the Genesis, as is the four-spoke steering wheel. And there's a "Sport" button just to the right of the shifter.
I also notice that the car feels spacious. Nice and wide, which it is. In fact at 74.8 inches wide, the Equus is the same width as a BMW 7 Series and a full inch wider than the Lexus LS and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
The light turns green. Krafcik accelerates away, only part throttle this time. And the Equus moves off like an upscale luxury sedan powered by a V8 should — with authority. Upshifts from the six-speed automatic are nearly imperceptible and the V8's flat torque curve gets the Equus back up to 50 mph well ahead of Malibu's afternoon traffic of surfers.
We're not surprised. The Equus features the same powertrain we've praised in the Genesis, and it feels just as good in this larger package. What is surprising is that the larger Equus weighs only 200 pounds more than a Genesis, which makes it easy to calculate some educated guesses about its acceleration times.
The 2009 Hyundai Genesis V8 we last tested hit 60 mph from a standstill in 5.9 seconds (5.7 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip) and finished the quarter-mile in 14.1 seconds at 101 mph. After some 'rithmetic on our part, we expect the Equus to hit 60 mph in 6.1 seconds (5.9 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip) and cover the quarter-mile in 14.3 seconds at 99 mph. Not slow, yet certainly slower than an S550, a 750i or an LS 460.
Also from the Genesis are the rack-and-pinion steering with old-school hydraulic assist (still our preference over electric-assist systems) and four-wheel disc brakes. The Equus also has air suspension, although only Genesis sedans sold in Korea are equipped with this feature.
Looks Like a Lexus
Just past the Malibu Country Mart (made famous by TMZ), a guy in a Porsche 911 Turbo pulls alongside us. He's checking out the car. Our car — the Hyundai. And he's not the only one. Since we hit Malibu, there's been no missing the ability of the Equus to make people look. Even the tourists in their rented Grabber-Blue Mustangs know this Hyundai is something special.
It may be a dead ringer for a Lexus LS from the rear, but the Equus certainly has enough street presence for valets to keep it up front. "The two character lines in the side are from the California studio," says Krafcik. "In fact, there's more U.S. influence in the design of the Equus than the Genesis." There's certainly enough chrome on its flanks to back up that statement.
And it looks larger than it is. At 203.1 inches long, the Equus is just a fraction of an inch longer than a Lexus LS 460 L and nearly 2 inches shorter than a Mercedes S-Class. Meanwhile, its 119.9-inch wheelbase falls between the dimensions of the long-wheelbase LS and the short version. Even the short-wheelbase 7 Series has an inch-longer wheelbase than the Equus.
Full Speed Ahead
Once we reach Pepperdine University, we flip around and head south toward Santa Monica again. It's now that I realize how quiet the Hyundai's interior is. At 100 km/h (about 60 mph) over the smooth asphalt that is PCH, all I hear is some tire slap from the 18-inch Hankooks.
Time to ask about that Sport button. "It's for the suspension," says Krafcik. "Push it, see what happens."
I do, and suddenly the Equus is the floaty Korean-market limo I was expecting. "Wow, big difference," I say, pushing the button again and getting the air suspension back into Sport mode. "Don't go there."
Krafcik first came to Hyundai Motor America in 2004 as the company's vice president of product development and strategic planning, and his home garage is stuffed full with a Porsche 911 C2S (997) and a Caterham 7, so I know he knows what I mean.
And at that moment Krafcik nails the throttle and redlines a couple of gears. "Feels good, huh?" he asks.
Yeah, he knows.