Chung Mong-Koo, Chairman and CEO of South Korea’s largest automaker, unveiled the much anticipated luxury sedan at a launch event held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul which was attended by over 1,000 VIP guests, including South Korea’s Prime Minister Han Seung-Soo.
“This is the car that will elevate the Hyundai brand to the highest level,” Mr. Chung, Chairman & CEO, said at the launching ceremony.
Representing the pinnacle of Hyundai engineering and design sophistication, the all-new EQUUS will serve as an effective import fighter in the Korean luxury sedan market taking on the best from Germany and Japan.
As the replacement for the first-generation EQUUS which has been retired after ten years in the marketplace, the new successor was developed under the VI project codename over a period of three years and represents a total investment of 500 billion won (approximately US$338 million*).
Hyundai plans to sell 13,000 units in the Korean market this year, increasing that number to 19,000 units in 2010. The new flagship sedan will also make its way to overseas markets such as China and the Middle East starting in the second half of this year, competing with other world-class vehicles.
Available in four trim levels, EQUUS will be priced at 63.7 million won for the entry level VS380 model and will top out at 105 million won for the VS460 Prestige. Later this year, the range will be extended to include a long wheelbase edition which will be powered by a 5L V-8 Tau engine.
POWERTRAINS
EQUUS comes with a choice of two sophisticated engines: The Lambda 3.8 V-6 and the award-winning Tau 4.6 V-8. To maximize power while minimizing emissions and fuel consumption, both engines feature all-aluminum construction, continuously variable valve timing, variable air induction systems and are mated to six-speed transmissions.
The Lambda V-6, good for 290ps and a peak torque rating of 36.5kg m, delivers an impressive fuel economy rating of 9.3km/l. The Tau 4.6 V-8, named by Detroit-based Ward’s Autos as one of 2009’s Best Ten Engines, delivers 366ps and 44.8kg m of torque with a fuel economy rating of 8.8km/l.
SUSPENSION
Front and rear, EQUUS rides on 5-link suspension featuring lightweight aluminum control arms. Such a multi-link setup for both the front and the rear is uncommon in the industry but through a careful optimization of the wheel geometry and bushing characteristics, stability and ride quality were optimized.
To improve shock control over the wheels, Hyundai worked in partnership with ZF-SACHS to develop Amplitude Selective Dampers (ASD) which features an innovative relief valve, a design EQUUS shares with only one other car in the world, its luxury stable-mate Genesis. The air suspension is electronically governed to minimize body roll, nose-diving and other undesirable characteristics.
EQUUS also comes equipped with an Electric Parking Brake which is automatically released once the vehicle is put into drive gear and an Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering System which reduces fuel consumption.
SAFETY
EQUUS elevates driving safety to a whole new level with the introduction of Vehicle Stability Management 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.
Using smart optics, the Lane Departure Warning System issues an audible warning if the car deviates from the driving lane without signaling. SCC uses radar waves to automatically regulate the brakes and throttle and maintain a safe distance from the car ahead.
If a collision danger is detected, the Pre-Safety System automatically applies the brakes, triggers a flashing warning light on the TFT-LCD which is followed by an audible alert and a vibration in the seatbelt harness.
If a collision is unavoidable, full braking force is automatically applied and front seat belts are reeled in within a split second in order to maximize protection.
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