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2011 Hyundai Equus Manchester

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Hyundai will move to an upscale market when it rolls out the 2011 Equus, aimed to compete directly at the likes of BMW and Mercedes. The company says it will offer a modern premium experience, where the owner's manual comes in the form of an iPad and a valet service program will pick up the vehicle for services, providing a loan vehicle until its return. It's a new way of doing business, and a bold new luxury model to accompany it. As it reaches out to attract Audi, BMW, and Lexus buyers, Hyundai is emphasizing service and customer attentiveness with the Equus line. There's a maintenance program that runs for five years or 60,000 miles, loaner vehicles while the car is in the shop and a Customer Connect Center hotline. Being pampered is a key Equus concept. Two models of Equus arrive at dealers in December: the basic Signature model and the Equus Ultimate. The differences between the Signature and Ultimate models are mainly interior luxury features like cooled rear seats, a fridge box in the center console, power trunk lid and a rear-seat entertainment system with an eight-inch monitor.

Powering the '11 Equus

 The rear-wheel-drive Equus uses the same 4.6-liter V-8 as the Genesis. Here it makes 378 horsepower and 324 pounds-feet of torque with regular fuel. Premium fuel moves the ratings to 385 hp and 333 pounds-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. Hyundai says the Equus has a 52/48 percent (front/rear) weight distribution favorably balanced for handling dynamics. The standard adaptive air suspension includes a Sport mode for decreased body roll. With multi-link suspension all around, the big Hyundai's chassis handles accurately, abetted by the Continental air-struts and the Sachs electronically controlled damping system. There's a driver-selectable Sport position, which subdues ride motions quite well without introducing much abruptness into the ride, but this is not really the kind of car one wants to fling around. It does very nicely with deliberate inputs at a brisk pace. Hyundai's decision to adopt a hybrid electro-hydraulic steering mechanism was a good one. Utilizing an electric motor to drive a power-steering pump, it benefits from the energy savings enjoyed when cruising straight ahead with the motor at rest, and from the more natural feel of hydraulic assist once the electric motor has been summoned into action.

2011 Hyundai Equus Design

The Equus resembles a larger, bejeweled Genesis. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels are standard. Although the Equus shares its cohort's platform, it measures 7.2 inches longer. This model is dressed up with 19-inch chrome rims, adjustable damping air suspension, H.I.D. headlamps, a driver's seat massage function, sunroof and illuminated scuff plates. There are accessories available from dealers, but no options to order. At the front, the grille design we know well from the Hyundai Genesis has been skillfully integrated with the headlight shapes, and carefully beveled front corners allow the light forms to carry around as vivid slashes into the quarter panels. The effect visually shortens the front overhang appreciably, to good effect. It is functional, too, allowing the auto-cornering HID headlights to swivel more effectively as the car turns. The side of the car is distinguished by a contour crease that runs across the top of the front fender and then arcs through the doors before kicking up over the rear door handle to meet the rear light, lending the rear fender a muscular outline as it does. Chrome window surrounds and a bright strip below the doors adds further detail, while large, bright 19-inch wheels cram the wheel housings to emphasize a solid stance. A fast roofline reduces the impression of size, so it is a surprise when you discover just how much interior space the design allows. Mercedes and Lexus have to field long-wheelbase models to be comparable. And the sleek Hyundai roof doesn't hurt rear-seat headroom much, either. The Equus is 0.8-inch shorter and 0.6-inch wider than a Lexus LS 460 L yet the Hyundai has 7.3 cubic feet more interior space than the Lexus does.

Inside the New Hyundai Equus

Inside the Equus, the dash comes wrapped in French-stitched leather, and it adorns more places - most notably the center console surroundings and steering wheel - than in the Genesis. Both front seats employ heating and cooling, and a massaging driver's seat is optional. The Genesis' uplevel Lexicon stereo is standard. Backseat options include power-reclining seatbacks, heated and cooled upholstery, side and rear sun visors and a massaging rear seat with a power-extending ottoman. Hyundai also plans to distinguish the Equus shopping and ownership experience with valet service appointments, at-home test drives and Equus-specific sections at select Hyundai dealerships. In lieu of a physical owner's manual, Hyundai will also offer an Apple iPad with an electronic version installed. Equus Signature comes with premium leather seating surfaces, Alcantara suede headliner, dual automatic temperature control with air quality system, 608-watt, 17-speaker Lexicon stereo system, heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel trimmed in wood and leather, illuminated scuff plates, illuminated door handles and door armrest, and all the bells and whistles you find in similar luxury sedans. Equus Ultimate features two separate seats in the rear equipped with elaborate massaging technology, power headrests, and footrests. There are also rear in-car entertainment controls and a refrigerated beverage compartment. The Ultimate model also features a forward-view camera to provide better observation when easing out of tight alleyways, and a powered trunk lid.

Conclusions

Safety features include nine airbags, active front head restraints, antilock brakes, an electronic stability system, and a lane departure warning system. With a base price much lower than any of its competition the Equus offers all the performance, refinement and amenities this class of car offers at considerably less money than the entrenched opposition. That on its own is worth consideration. Add intensive engineering, tasteful design and intelligent use of supplier's technology, and you have a car worth owning in its own right. While it might be tempting for some to discount this car as a luxury wannabe with derivative styling and a copycat format, Hyundai has closed in on the concept of fine car-making in a way that confirms there is no going back. To learn more about this exciting new model, visit the official Hyundai Equus site.