Hyundai Equus coming to the U.S. in two-to-three years?
Hyundai Equus - Click above for a high-res gallery
Citing an unnamed source "close to the project," InsideLine is reporting that Hyundai plans to bring the Equus super-sedan to the States within the next two to three years. According to the insider, "... you wouldn't be too far off if you said the car was coming to the United States. Our chairman wants it."
Although the news doesn't come as a complete surprise, particularly considering Hyundai brought out an Equus to this week's New York Auto Show, the biggest hurdle to overcome is price. In its current form, the Equus starts at around $96,000, putting it squarely up against such high-dollar machinery as the Audi A8, BMW 7 series, Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Hyundai knows it's not ready to swim with the whale sharks of the luxury world, so it's hoping to get the sticker closer to $50,000 when equipped with the automaker's 5.0-liter V8 and new eight-speed transmission.
Gallery: New York: Hyundai Equus
[Source: InsideLine]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Kumail 6:38PM (4/09/2009)
I don't like the fancy dancing thing in front of the car...
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Quantumphysics 8:28PM (4/09/2009)
Hyundai is a KLEPTOMANIAC
They stole the LS460's body and front end
They stole the S550's fascia
They stole the soon-to-be released E-classes' rear fenders
and OH MY GOD... is that the SPIRIT OF ECSTACY.
I think I'm gonna throw up...
Quantumphysics 8:32PM (4/09/2009)
...and then they stole the i-drive
And the Honda Accord's rear light fixtures...
and then the LS460's exhaust pipes.
and then the LS460's antennae.
If this computer wasn't mine i'd smash it into the floor. >:(
Quantumphysics 8:34PM (4/09/2009)
Can Audi sue Hyundai for copying its MMI?
Can Mercedes Benz sue Hyundai for trying to steal their trademark door mounted seat controls?
SUE THEM PERMANENTLY PLEASE...
mike 6:14PM (4/10/2009)
Quantumphysics, are you joking? The Lexus LS?!?! That car defined design cue "borrowing" from the mercedes S-class and to a lesser extent the 7 series. Welcome to car design dude. Half the stuff you listed is just because all cars look like that, and the second half is because that's what looks good. Give Hyundai a break, they offer a lot for a little and the cars look halfway decent (to most). If you want to pay $30k more for unique styling, nobody's stopping you. If you want a good deal, then you might be interested.
What most people seem to miss is that in many parts of the world, car manufacturers can build both econo-cars and luxury cars and sell them successfully. Hyundai is trying it out here. Shoot, the first lexuses were a far cry from these luxury models that Hyundai is releasing.
My guess is Hyundai WILL become the luxury brand and Kia will essentially become their econo brand here in the US.
David Walker 11:25AM (4/23/2009)
My only advice for Hyundai to refine the interior a little more, you will never get our $100k for nice care with a Sonata interior (the center computer looks like cheep plastic with a gearshift that came from the Hyundai Sonata.)
I will take that back , You will never get anyone to pay $100k for a Hyundai, No matter what you call it! If you want to play with the likes of Mercedes Benz or BMW you need to put in your Time, Money and craftsmanship just to be considered. Look at Lexus they are lucky they can get $80k for that LS , but they already have a proven recorded of reliability and quality.
the_MVP_X 6:41PM (4/09/2009)
To expensive for a korean car
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Tyler 6:59PM (4/09/2009)
Too*
Also, you're not the target market. This car is aimed -- like many Hyundais -- is aimed at people who want to most for their money. Sure, it's not a BMW/Mercedes/Lexus and it won't appeal to people who want the brand cachet. However, it will be very attractive to everybody who wants the most amount of luxury they can get.
This car is unique because it will appeal to 7-/S/LS car owners who are more responsive to luxury than branding. This car will also appeal 5-/E/GS customers who want have to work with an ~50K budget. Prior to this car, they would have been stuck at the middle-class of luxury. However, if they too are responsive to luxury, they will consider this car.
Remember, some people prefer isolation over involvement; a quiet engine over a snorty, loud engine; and smoothness to coarseness.
hypermiler 9:21PM (4/09/2009)
@ the_MVP_X
> To expensive for a korean car
Well, this thing is not the most expensive Korean car, or even the most expensive Hyundai by the time it gets to the US via the launching of Genesis sub-brand(Similar to Scion sub-brand within Toyota dealers).
There is am LF-A/NSX class super car called ZK arriving in 2012. This thing is sure to top Equus in price.
ken_aisin 9:56AM (4/10/2009)
"To expensive for a korean car"
People said the same when Toyota introduced the Lexus line. To be honest, I quite like the Equus. If they are able to sell it for $50000, I would be interested.
I'm glad to see Hyundai offering more affordable luxury cars. More competition is always good for us the consumers.
Taglane 6:42PM (4/09/2009)
Who thinks this will get sales? I mean, most Lux car buyers hear the name Hyundai and shudder. I look at a car for it's content. I don't think people will cross shop this with any BMW, Benz, Lexus, Cadillac or even Infiniti- unless they create a new brand.
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hypermiler 9:24PM (4/09/2009)
@ Taglane
There should be heavy importing activity going on once US market version launches. US prices of high-end Hyundai/Kias are roughly half the price of Korean prices, prompting Korean auto dealers to reverse import US market models in grey market.
Taglane 12:23AM (4/10/2009)
I'd consider buying the car if I was in the market, but I'm just not sure most consumers would do the same.
Derek 6:51PM (4/09/2009)
Actually it starts about around $40,000. I can't find where I read this but it was on a reputable source. Maybe I'll find it later.
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Joe K. 6:57PM (4/09/2009)
Hey it worked for VW, why wouldn't it work for Hyundai?
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z-man 6:57PM (4/09/2009)
God, thats ugly...
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efw 7:02PM (4/09/2009)
hyundai managed to sell ~1500 genesis when people had doubts and said what they are saying about this car right now. i'm sure hyundai will somehow sell this too...
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gcaldwell 7:00PM (4/09/2009)
A8L, S80, 535, towncar, cts, sts, E320, ES350, these are a few of the cars I have taken in on trade or whose lease expired and are now driving a Genesis. I have been selling the Hyundai's for 10 years now. I always get a laugh when someone say ya but its a Hyundai. I agree 10 years ago my highest priced Hyundai was about 16,000. I would have laughed at you then. I will no longer second guess hyundai on what would or would not sell here. So far the only vehicle I think they missed was the Entourage. I can live with that. I would look for hyundai to come out with a 50-60,000 car that is worth 90-100,000 why not its not like they haven't already done it. The last Genesis I sold was to a 07 ES350 owner his exact words were " wow my Lexus won't do that" as we were going through 90' switch backs. I encourage all manufactures to continue to say ya but its still a Hyundai.
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gqby22 7:55PM (4/09/2009)
"I sold was to a 07 ES350 owner his exact words were " wow my Lexus won't do that" as we were going through 90' switch backs."
Give me a break... The ES350 is a Toyota Camry for crying out loud, it's not like it's the LS460. This Equus looks like a joke... The interior looks very cheap, and is very outdated looking. The only thing this car has going for it is the profile, other than that the front end looks tacky.
RamblinReck89 7:03PM (4/09/2009)
I really don't get the advantage of having a new company. I mean, there are still gonna be the badge-o-phobes who will change their screams from "It's a Hyundai! I'll never buy one!" to "It's a more expensive Hyundai with another badge on it!" No matter what they call it, it's still not gonna be a Mercedes/BMW/Audi/Jaguar. People who have their boxers in a wad over what their neighbors are going to think if they buy a quality automobile for $25k less than a competitor are never going to be happy.
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