Spy Shots: A more revealing look at the reportedly U.S.-bound Hyundai Equus
by Jonathon Ramsey on Jan 23rd 2009 at 1:55PM 
Take a Hyundai Genesis, put it in a giant taffy machine and give it a serious stretch out, add some details like a reshaped rear three-quarter and some Lexus LS exhaust tips, then call it the Hyundai Equus. Oh, and give it a price of 130,000,000 South Korean won (about $93,471 USD). That's about thirty million won more than the current generation – but have no fear, it looks like you'll be getting your money's worth.
Compared to the Genesis, the Equus is about 7 inches longer, 1.5 inches wider, and it sports a wheelbase about 4.5 inches greater. Motivational choices will begin with the 3.8-liter V6 and 4.6-liter V8 currently found in the Genesis. By mid-year, a 5.0-liter V8 with 420+ horsepower – which would be at least 45 hp up on the Genesis – will be added to the menu, hauling the horse to 60 miles-per-hour in under six seconds.
While we didn't originally think that the Equus was bound for America, the folks at Ward's Auto are now suggesting the car will come to the U.S., albeit hopefully with a much lower price tag. With solid signs from early Genesis sales, who knows? Perhaps it will. Thanks for the tips, everyone!
[Source: Hyundai Blog; Ward's Auto, subs req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Scorch 2:07PM (1/23/2009)
$93k for a Hyundai? I don't think people will go for that, especially with the way things are now.
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Ligor 2:28PM (1/23/2009)
they won't bring it here with the $93k pricetag
the price will be about 30% more,
straight conversions are never to be taken as an estimate for anything when it comes to autos
likely it;'ll start about 30% higher than a midgrade Genesis and top out at $55k
Lemmiwinks 5:49PM (1/23/2009)
Perhaps it comes with Daniel Radcliffe?
k.w.a 2:08PM (1/23/2009)
if people won't even buy a volkswagen Phaeton why would they buy this?
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Mondrell 2:11PM (1/23/2009)
I can't help thinking that some of GM's product planners defected to Hyundai during the bailout scare because going bigger despite future economic forecasts is a play right out of their book. If this rumor is true, I'll be asking why couldn't this money and effort go to bolstering Hyundai's compact offerings, which are again in danger of being lapped by the competition. . .
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Sal Collaziano 2:14PM (1/23/2009)
I currently drive a 2006 BMW 750Li. My next target is a Mercedes S550. If this Equus costs $70k or under, I will buy it. At $93, I won't even consider it. That's just the way it goes. I like the Equus but I won't stand for arrogant pricing - which is why I don't currently own an S550 - though I can stomach a certified pre-owned. If it comes between a used S550 or a new Equus - and the price is the same, I'll probably take the Equus with the better warranty. If the design looks anything like the renditions we've seen, than I really like it...
Sal C.
http://www.genesisowners.com
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Omer 2:40PM (1/23/2009)
"I won't stand for arrogant pricing - which is why I don't currently own an S550 "
lol hahahha you are a joke SIR. You do know that BMW has the most arrogant pricing of all the auto manufactures. Another BMW owner who proves he is just an ill-informed uneducated badge mongers.
Also your BMW 2006 BMW 750Li is now worth next to thing. Welcome to BMW world. You should have bought the Merc at least you would get some tail.
P.V. 2:40PM (1/23/2009)
Tell FlashPoint that. :D
P.V. 2:41PM (1/23/2009)
I meant that to Sal Collaziano about why he won't buy an S550.
Sal Collaziano 2:52PM (1/23/2009)
Guys. I know very well how much a new 750Li costs - which is why I didn't buy one brand new. I'd have purchased a certified S550 is one were available at the time I purchased my BMW. I'm not "ill informed" and I'm certainly not a "badge monger" considering that I want the new Hyundai Equus. If calling me a "joke" makes you happy, than go ahead and have a ball...
Sal Collaziano
Madison Ross Media Group
http://www.madisonross.com
caddy-v 9:36PM (1/23/2009)
Just hang in there Sal, the way Hyundai's depreciate after a year that $93g will look more like $22g with a non-transferable warranty. Good luck.
Sal Collaziano 12:26AM (1/24/2009)
Caddy-V.. The Equus isn't going to cost anywhere near $93k in the U.S. That would be like making the same exact mistake Volkswagen did with the Phaeton. My guess is about $70k fully loaded - maybe a touch more...
Sal C.
tvsquad@briancooksey.net 2:35PM (1/23/2009)
That rear 1/4 is seriously ungainly-looking from the side. On the plus side it probably has a trunk bigger than the Genesis' pitiful 15.9 cubic feet, so the passengers can take their luggage with them on trips as well as their golf clubs.
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Juan 2:35PM (1/23/2009)
Hyundai is doing well with their current lineup, why go even more upscale? The Genesis is a nice flagship and is helping the brand image-wise. There's no need for a higher end model. They should focus more on making their bread-and-butter models CLASS LEADING...not just on-par with the rest...
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casey 2:43PM (1/23/2009)
if it's really a stretched Genesis, OK. it seems more like a stretched Azera. i think they should have kept more of the euro-inspired styling of the Gen and less of the asian-inspired Az.
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Abe 2:44PM (1/23/2009)
Although the Genesis is a sound car for the price, its styling does no justice for its mechanical prowess. This new Equus, however, looks quite stylish. If priced right, this could be a very tempting buy. It's quite a shame to GM and Ford give up on the full-size rwd market to Hyundai, a company once looked at as the joke of the car industry not too long ago.
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P.V. 2:47PM (1/23/2009)
Here's the thing: Hyundai is trying the same thing as VW, but is doing it much better. Hyundai is bringing its full lineup to the US, but is pricing the cars much lower than competitors (which VW didn't do with the Phaeton/Touareg). As long as the Equus starts under ~$40000, it will do very well as a flagship. That said, because of the whole thing about "prestige" and "brand image" in the US, Hyundai will have to drop its lower-end models (Accent, Elantra, Tucson: leave those to KIA or something). It can make the bread-and-butter Sonata its entry-level model, the Azera and Genesis the midlevel models (analogous to the one-two punch Lexus has done with the IS and ES), and the Equus the range-topper, with the Santa Fe as the entry-level CUV and the Veracruz as the midlevel CUV (oh, and it would need to drop the Entourage too).
In case anyone was wondering, I would not buy a $90000 Hyundai (at that price, just like I wouldn't buy a $75000 VW at that price).
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Don 2:50PM (1/23/2009)
10 years too late. No one wants a pretentious japanese cars with a V8. Times have changed.
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jsjs 2:59PM (1/23/2009)
You fail on so many levels - lol!
Michael 4:50PM (1/23/2009)
Hyundai is so Japanese!