Hyundai Equus
Encyclopedia
The Hyundai Equus known as the Hyundai Centennial in the Middle East
, is an upscale full-size
luxury car that serves as the flagship model of Hyundai Motor Company
worldwide, named after the Latin word for "horse". The Hyundai Equus is the largest and most expensive sedan in the company's lineup. In 2009, the company released a new version on a rear-wheel drive platform aimed to compete with the BMW 7 Series
, Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8
and Lexus LS
.
presented their full-size sedan. Hyundai said that it was making a full-size sedan to compete with Mercedes-Benz S-Class
and BMW 7 Series
in the Korean market. In reality it was competing against its domestic competitor SsangYong Chairman
. Hyundai had great success with this car in Korea, but very few were exported to foreign countries.
The first generation was designed by Mitsubishi Motors who had their own version called the Proudia
. It was jointly manufactured by both companies. The first generation car was introduced in 1999 as a front wheel drive car measuring 5.1 metres (200.8 in) long and 1.9 metres (74.8 in) wide. A long-wheelbase limousine model was available exclusively for the Korean domestic market, and at 92,510,000 South Korean won
for the 2008 model with a V8 and no options, was the most expensive model in the company's lineup. The first generation Equus extended length limousine was also mechanically related to the Mitsubishi Dignity
limousine for the Japanese market. The first generation Equus were sold in South Korea
, China
, and the Middle East
. A very limited number, badged as the Centennial, were made available for some western European markets in the early and mid 2000s. At first, there were two engine types – a 3.5 Sigma V6 and 4.5 8A80 (Omega) V8 engine. After a few months, the 3.0 Sigma V6 engine type was added. Two versions were available: a sedan (3.0, 3.5 and 4.5) and limousine (3.5 and 4.5). In Japan, under the name of Mitsubishi Dignity (limousine version) and Mitsubishi Proudia
(sedan version), about 2,000 units were sold. Specifically, the 4.5 8A80 (Omega) V8 engine was a GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) type engine which was designed and developed by Mitsubishi Motors. This engine was optimized with premium unleaded gasoline fuel, but there was little opportunity to get this type of fuel in Korea at that time. So, most of these engines used normal unleaded gasoline fuel, and then had significant performance issues, about which drivers of this engine-type complained. Finally, Hyundai Motors modified this engine from a GDI Type to a MPI (Multi Point Injection) type to solve the issue.
In 2003, Hyundai presented their 'New Equus', changing the hood design and some of interior. A 7 inch screen for the rear seat, Xenon headlamps, front parking sensors, etc. were newly offered. Mitsubishi Motors ended the production of Mitsubishi Proudia and Mitsubishi Dignity, unlike Hyundai. From 2005, 3.0 and 3.5 Sigma V6 engine types were changed to 3.3 and 3.8 Lambda V6 engine types which were designed and developed by Hyundai Motors. But the automatic transmission
was not changed. Hyundai officially ceased the production of 1st generation Equus in November 2008. A new bigger, rear-wheel drive Equus was launched in March 2009.
The Korean domestic market Equus comes as a 3.8L "Prime" and a 4.6L "Prestige" in South Korea. It is the most expensive model in the company's lineup. It became available in South Korea on March 11, 2009. It launched in the People's Republic of China
in August 2009. The Hyundai Equus was listed in the '10 exciting cars for 2010' from Forbes.
At the 2010 North American International Auto Show
, the Equus made its North American debut. At the 2010 New York Auto Show the US-Spec version was revealed with the same 4.6L V8 engine as the Genesis except with 10 hp more than the current version. This puts the total engine output at 385 hp with 333 lbft. It was also revealed that the Hyundai Equus will be receiving a 5.0L V8 with 429 hp and 376 lbft. This engine will be an option for the Equus after January 2011. This engine will also be placed in the facelifted 2012 Hyundai Genesis
. and possibly the 2nd Generation Hyundai Genesis Coupe
The North American Equus features a badge attached on the hood as opposed to the hood ornament, the grille features a horizontal grid pattern like its Genesis sibling as opposed to the vertical one on international models, and an included iPad
device with an Equus user's guide application pre-installed as opposed to a traditional owner's manual.
V8 5.0L, which delivers a peak torque of 368 lbft. The stretch edition offers several upgraded features from the normal sedan version, including differentiated exterior designs and longer overall length. The limousine model has an exclusive horizontal cross-bar radiator grille, as well as features such as a power-driven footrest, rear-seat leg support and a massage system.
Hyundai has also developed a bulletproof presidential limousine
, based on this limousine model, with an enlarged 5.5L version of the V8 engine. On September 2009, Hyundai delivered three bulletproof limousine versions of the luxury sedan Equus to the South Korea Presidential Security Service
. Hyundai designed this vehicle with a special alloy, and it has an automatic cooling system in case of fire as well as bulletproof windows.
criticized the 2011 Equus for requiring five separate steps just to select a radio station preset.
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, is an upscale full-size
Full-size car
A full-size car is a marketing term used in North America for an automobile larger than a mid-size car. In the United States, the EPA uses "large car" to denote full-size cars....
luxury car that serves as the flagship model of Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Motor Company is a Korean multinational automaker based in Seoul, South Korea which, along with Kia, comprises the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, the world's fourth largest automaker as of 2009. As of 2011, it is the world's fastest growing automaker for two years running...
worldwide, named after the Latin word for "horse". The Hyundai Equus is the largest and most expensive sedan in the company's lineup. In 2009, the company released a new version on a rear-wheel drive platform aimed to compete with the BMW 7 Series
BMW 7 Series
The BMW 7 Series is a line of full-size luxury vehicles produced by the German automaker BMW. Introduced in 1977, it is BMW's flagship car and is only available as a sedan or extended-length limousine...
, Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8
Audi A8
The Audi A8 is a four-door, full-size, luxury sedan car manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi since 1994. Succeeding the Audi V8, the A8 has been offered with front wheel drive or permanent four-wheel drive, with multitronic or tiptronic automatic transmissions — and in short- and...
and Lexus LS
Lexus LS
The Lexus LS is a full-size luxury sedan that serves as the flagship model of Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. Four generations of the sedan have been produced, all equipped with V8 engines and rear-wheel drive, although since 2006 all-wheel drive, hybrid, and long-wheelbase variants have also...
.
First generation
In 1999, Hyundai Motors and Mitsubishi MotorsMitsubishi Motors
is a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...
presented their full-size sedan. Hyundai said that it was making a full-size sedan to compete with Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a series of luxury sedans produced by Mercedes-Benz, a division of Daimler AG. The classification was officially introduced in 1972 with the W116 S-Class, which succeeded previous Mercedes-Benz models dating to the mid-1950s...
and BMW 7 Series
BMW 7 Series
The BMW 7 Series is a line of full-size luxury vehicles produced by the German automaker BMW. Introduced in 1977, it is BMW's flagship car and is only available as a sedan or extended-length limousine...
in the Korean market. In reality it was competing against its domestic competitor SsangYong Chairman
SsangYong Chairman
SsangYong renamed pre-2008 Chairman model as Chairman H to differentiate from Chairman W. Chairman H kept same exterior, interior, engine, transmission and features as the previous models...
. Hyundai had great success with this car in Korea, but very few were exported to foreign countries.
The first generation was designed by Mitsubishi Motors who had their own version called the Proudia
Mitsubishi Proudia
The Mitsubishi Proudia is a luxury car manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors from late 1999, positioned just below the flagship Mitsubishi Dignity limousine in the company's range...
. It was jointly manufactured by both companies. The first generation car was introduced in 1999 as a front wheel drive car measuring 5.1 metres (200.8 in) long and 1.9 metres (74.8 in) wide. A long-wheelbase limousine model was available exclusively for the Korean domestic market, and at 92,510,000 South Korean won
South Korean won
The won is the currency of South Korea. A single won is divided into 100 jeon, the monetary subunit. The jeon is no longer used for everyday transactions, and appears only in foreign exchange rates...
for the 2008 model with a V8 and no options, was the most expensive model in the company's lineup. The first generation Equus extended length limousine was also mechanically related to the Mitsubishi Dignity
Mitsubishi Dignity
The Mitsubishi Dignity, whose name was derived from "the English to describe the peerless grandeur and majestic stateliness of the model", is a limousine manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors from late 1999 as the flagship of the company's domestic range, alongside the smaller Proudia luxury car...
limousine for the Japanese market. The first generation Equus were sold in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. A very limited number, badged as the Centennial, were made available for some western European markets in the early and mid 2000s. At first, there were two engine types – a 3.5 Sigma V6 and 4.5 8A80 (Omega) V8 engine. After a few months, the 3.0 Sigma V6 engine type was added. Two versions were available: a sedan (3.0, 3.5 and 4.5) and limousine (3.5 and 4.5). In Japan, under the name of Mitsubishi Dignity (limousine version) and Mitsubishi Proudia
Mitsubishi Proudia
The Mitsubishi Proudia is a luxury car manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors from late 1999, positioned just below the flagship Mitsubishi Dignity limousine in the company's range...
(sedan version), about 2,000 units were sold. Specifically, the 4.5 8A80 (Omega) V8 engine was a GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) type engine which was designed and developed by Mitsubishi Motors. This engine was optimized with premium unleaded gasoline fuel, but there was little opportunity to get this type of fuel in Korea at that time. So, most of these engines used normal unleaded gasoline fuel, and then had significant performance issues, about which drivers of this engine-type complained. Finally, Hyundai Motors modified this engine from a GDI Type to a MPI (Multi Point Injection) type to solve the issue.
In 2003, Hyundai presented their 'New Equus', changing the hood design and some of interior. A 7 inch screen for the rear seat, Xenon headlamps, front parking sensors, etc. were newly offered. Mitsubishi Motors ended the production of Mitsubishi Proudia and Mitsubishi Dignity, unlike Hyundai. From 2005, 3.0 and 3.5 Sigma V6 engine types were changed to 3.3 and 3.8 Lambda V6 engine types which were designed and developed by Hyundai Motors. But the automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
was not changed. Hyundai officially ceased the production of 1st generation Equus in November 2008. A new bigger, rear-wheel drive Equus was launched in March 2009.
Limousine model
A limousine model was made for the Korean market. Equus Limousines have been used by famous company owners in Korea as well as foreign VIPs.Second generation
In March 2009, Hyundai unveiled the new high-end flagship model, codename "VI". The VI is a completely different model from the old Equus. Unlike the old Equus, the VI has a rear-wheel drive architecture, a longer wheelbase, and a different engine. The VI is based on an all-new platform, that has been entirely developed by Hyundai Motor Corporation. Although the car has nothing in common with the previous Equus, the VI takes only the name from old Equus, because the name 'Equus' has prestige in Korea.The Korean domestic market Equus comes as a 3.8L "Prime" and a 4.6L "Prestige" in South Korea. It is the most expensive model in the company's lineup. It became available in South Korea on March 11, 2009. It launched in the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
in August 2009. The Hyundai Equus was listed in the '10 exciting cars for 2010' from Forbes.
At the 2010 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
, the Equus made its North American debut. At the 2010 New York Auto Show the US-Spec version was revealed with the same 4.6L V8 engine as the Genesis except with 10 hp more than the current version. This puts the total engine output at 385 hp with 333 lbft. It was also revealed that the Hyundai Equus will be receiving a 5.0L V8 with 429 hp and 376 lbft. This engine will be an option for the Equus after January 2011. This engine will also be placed in the facelifted 2012 Hyundai Genesis
Hyundai Genesis
The Hyundai Genesis is a full-size luxury car initially introduced as a concept car in the 2007 New York International Auto Show. Hyundai has introduced the vehicle worldwide, known internally as the BH model, and markets the Genesis as a "premium sports sedan". The Genesis is currently not...
. and possibly the 2nd Generation Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
The Hyundai Genesis Coupé is a rear-wheel drive sports coupe from Hyundai Motor Company, released on October 13, 2008 for the Korean market. It is Hyundai's first rear-wheel drive sports coupe, and shares its basic platform with the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan....
The North American Equus features a badge attached on the hood as opposed to the hood ornament, the grille features a horizontal grid pattern like its Genesis sibling as opposed to the vertical one on international models, and an included iPad
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
device with an Equus user's guide application pre-installed as opposed to a traditional owner's manual.
Limousine model
On September 2009, Hyundai unveiled the long-wheelbase version Equus limousine. It is 300 mm (11.8 in) longer than the sedan version, increasing comfort for the VIP passenger with Tau engineHyundai Tau engine
The Tau is Hyundai Motor Company's newest V8 engine, replacing the Omega. It is reported to deliver an estimated and of torque -- on premium unleaded fuel -- at . Currently, the version of the engine delivers and on premium unleaded fuel...
V8 5.0L, which delivers a peak torque of 368 lbft. The stretch edition offers several upgraded features from the normal sedan version, including differentiated exterior designs and longer overall length. The limousine model has an exclusive horizontal cross-bar radiator grille, as well as features such as a power-driven footrest, rear-seat leg support and a massage system.
Hyundai has also developed a bulletproof presidential limousine
Armored car (VIP)
A civilian armored car is a security vehicle which made by replacing the windows of a standard vehicle with bulletproof glass and inserting layers of armor plate into the body panels...
, based on this limousine model, with an enlarged 5.5L version of the V8 engine. On September 2009, Hyundai delivered three bulletproof limousine versions of the luxury sedan Equus to the South Korea Presidential Security Service
Presidential Security Service
Presidential Security Service , or PSS for short, is a South Korean close protection agency. Based on the United States Secret Service, the South Korean PSS is an independent agency responsible for the protection of the President of South Korea and the Blue House.The unit is currently being...
. Hyundai designed this vehicle with a special alloy, and it has an automatic cooling system in case of fire as well as bulletproof windows.
Radio
Consumer ReportsConsumer Reports
Consumer Reports is an American magazine published monthly by Consumers Union since 1936. It publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory. It also publishes cleaning and general buying guides...
criticized the 2011 Equus for requiring five separate steps just to select a radio station preset.