Hyundai will bring Equus luxury sedan to U.S.

Hyundai Equus will have 2 trim levels in U.S.

Automotive News -- July 28, 2010

Hyundai Motor Co.'s new flagship luxury sedan will be introduced in the United States this year with just two trim levels -- Equus Signature and Equus Ultimate.

Hyundai hasn't announced Equus pricing for the United States, but analysts and press reports suggest the price will be close to $60,000 -- higher than Hyundai's original target of $55,000.

The Korean automaker plans to market the Equus as a “value alternative” to the Lexus LS, BMW 7 series, Mercedes-Benz S class and Audi A8 sedans. Many of those sedans are priced above $60,000.

Hyundai used a similar value strategy last year when it introduced the rear-wheel-drive Genesis sedan to compete with the BMW 5 series and Audi A6. Prices for the Genesis sedan begin at $33,800 for the V-6 version and $40,300 for a V-8 model. U.S. sales of the Genesis, including a coupe variant, are up 30 percent this year to 12,891 through June.

The Equus will be equipped with a 4.6-liter V-8 engine with 385 hp and a six-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai is expected to add a 429-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 engine paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission at a later date.

Hyundai said the Equus Signature and Equus Ultimate will be equipped with a bevy of high-tech and luxury features, including electronically controlled air suspension with continuous damping, front and rear parking assist with rear-view camera, adaptive headlamps, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, vehicle stability control with pre-collision warning, a heated wood-and-leather steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, and a 608-watt Lexicon audio system with 17 speakers.

The Equus Ultimate will be equipped with additional features aimed at the executive class -- such as heated-and-cooled, massaging rear seats that recline, with powered headrests, as well as a rear refrigerator and entertainment system. It also will feature a forward-view parking and cornering camera and power decklid.

I'm not sure which buttons you're referring to.... but I'm curious about what the dual window buttons are in the rear.

i'm going to guess bc its a car to be driven in, instead of driven by.  So this gives the person in the back right a way to make more room for him/herself.

Those are probably the same buttons that are on the Lexus LS 430, to move the passenger
seat from the back seat.  Looks like Hyundai copied a few things from Lexus on this car. 
Way to much wood though in this car.   

I'm digging the rear seat and all the buttons and compartments...LOL.  Can you drive from there instead?

No shortage of buttons for the driver too (look at the steering wheel, 21 buttons?)

I'm with turbo, with the death of the towncar/crown vic, I think this could be a luxury cab winner, bc you know it will get cheaper than 60k

good point.... i believe the big difference is distance.  NYC is only so big, Paris and Nichole might be partying 60 miles away.

Maybe the towncars your used to but the executive models are a different story.  The TownCars here have lots of luxuries including a switch in the rear arm rest for the passenger seat adjustment, HVAC/Stereo controls, tissue holder, heated f/r seats, 12v access (2x in armrest and 1x in each rear door).  Also, the reason for them not changing anything in so many years is because of fleet management and parts.  Another thing that is overlooked when it comes to Towncars is their reliability.  The driver that I made friends with (he hooks me up and I over tip here and there) has about 400k on the clock and it looks almost brand new.  The cars I have ridden in are cushy, but not all over the place like some.  My guess is that a lot of the cars that are all over the place are the rejects from good companies.  There is a good chance that the car has 500k on the clock with the original shocks.  My buddy says he almost never has a problem with his.  I'll have to ask him what year it is but its got the rear/front seat adjustment, rear vanity mirrors etc.