The information comes from a Hyundai insider, who revealed to Automotive News that the Equus will almost certainly arrive in U.S. showrooms by July of next year. The insider went on to reveal that the Equus will be priced below $60,000. Its closest competitor will be the Lexus LS 460, which starts at $64,700 including shipping. In South Korea the Equus is priced from $50,000 but a fully loaded version can range up to $81,000 in price.
We won’t have to wait until next year to see the Equus on local roads, however. At April’s New York Auto Show Hyundai displayed its flagship to help gauge the public's reaction and find out how much people would actually be willing to pay for it. The event proved so successful that Hyundai has already confirmed that it will bring 100 examples to showcase in dealerships all around the country this summer.
Having won the 2009 North American Car of the Year award for its Genesis Sedan, Hyundai is hoping to capitalize on this success. The Equus, after all, is based on the same RWD platform as the award winning Genesis.
Measuring in at a generous 5,160mm in length, 1,900mm in width and 1,495mm in height, the Equus certainly has the luxury saloon size factor. The powertrain lineup is also respectable, with the Equus available with a 286hp (213kW) 3.8L Lambda V6 and a 361hp (269kW) 4.6L Tau V8. A long-wheelbase model will eventually be offered, complete with a brand new 5.0L version of the Tau V8. This new 5.0L unit is likely to be the sole powertrain used for U.S. versions.
Some of the possible options include tilting rear seats, massagers and TV screens in the rear seats.
SOURCE REMOVED DUE TO SPAMMING CONCERNS
-David
This post has been edited by ZiGeNX77: 30 June 2009 - 03:50 PM
