Spy Shots: Long-wheelbase Equus prototype is one big Hyundai
by Jonathon Ramsey on Aug 7th 2009 at 5:35PM 
The long wheelbase Hyundai Equus VL500 -- Click above for image gallery
Just when you were getting comfortable with Hyundai's $39,000 Genesis, the Korean automaker sprung the $50,000 Equus on you. Now, Hyundai has upped the stakes with the Equus VL500, a long wheel-base version of its Korean-market (and possibly U.S.-bound) flagship.
The engine bay in the long-wheelbase version is the first Hyundai to swallow the 5.0-liter Tau V8. Power output hasn't been released yet, but with the 4.6-liter mill in the Genesis putting out close to 400 hp, something north of that mark is expected in this application. The Equus VL500 will debut in November, but will be exclusive to Korea for the time being. Hat tip to William!
Gallery: Hyundai Equus Limousine
[Source: The Car Blogger]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
risk 5:38PM (8/07/2009)
how to sell a car: follow what lexus did to mercedes and bmw.
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Sal Collaziano 10:59PM (8/07/2009)
Actually, exactly.. It's a good plan.. I'm loving this extended wheel base Equus.. This would have even more rear legroom than a Mercedes S550, than.. The current Equus has about the same room as a Lexus LS460L..
A few people here and there do confuse the Genesis with a Bentley because of the winged Genesis badge.. However - the Equus has been quoted to look a lot like a Bentley even with the Hyundai badge.. The Equus is a pretty stately vehicle... This LWB makes it even more so...
Sal Collaziano
http://www.genesisowners.com
Quantumphysics 11:32PM (8/07/2009)
You'd have to be INSANE to spend $50,000+ on a Hyundai...
What's next?
The Hyundai Veyron ?
top speed 255 mph, 0 - 60 in 3 seconds with solid rocket booster assist?
the4thheat 2:39AM (8/08/2009)
This thing is unlikely to ever see the light of day outside of Korea and probably China (the rear seat having so much room might make it attractive to Chinese people who get chauffeured but in China the rich are still really all about the established luxury brands).
It's obviously way too large for Europe and even in the US we don't usually have such massive cars with mostly just more rear seat space. That and the price I guess.
Aznauto 3:57PM (8/08/2009)
"You'd have to be INSANE to spend $50,000+ on a Hyundai..."
Better than spending 50k on Cadillac or Lincoln.
Richard 5:44PM (8/07/2009)
Say what you will, that's a pretty good looking "big car". I'm loving the taillight treatment. And as far as it goes, I've heard several people say that the Genesis Sedan looks an awful lot like a Bentley as you're coming up behind it... something I agree with, actually. They've got some pretty good stylists over there.
Of course, they also came up with the previous generation Santa Fe, and some of the Genesis Coupe lines are pretty muddled. Nobody's perfect.
With the possible exception of Aston Martin, at least.
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groundZ 5:57PM (8/07/2009)
I used to think Aston Martin was perfect too. But then I saw the Lagonda concept and that retarded rebadged iQ.
bwzd7p2 5:45PM (8/07/2009)
Geez, why bother with camo on a vehicle that's just a stretched version of an existing car? All you need is Photoshop and you'd have pretty much a valid pic of the car.
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gefinley 6:21PM (8/07/2009)
I don't know if it's the camo or what, but that looks like a big car. Many long wheelbase versions don't look big in photos, at least to me.
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Paul 6:27PM (8/07/2009)
wow thats totally not obvious. good spy camo.
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jbest05 10:26PM (8/10/2009)
The wheels on this prototype remind me of those on the Bentley Continental GT Coupe. It's an attractive wheel design. Looks good!
Hyundai is smart to offer variations of the Genesis platform with this Equus SWB and Equus LWB models. That will help amortize the development costs and provide Hyundai with more halo models and publicity.
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Art 7:11PM (8/07/2009)
um, so this is probably like Phantom sized or something?
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Other Man 7:52PM (8/07/2009)
I thought the standard issue Equus was on the same length roughly as other long wheelbase ultra-luxury sedans? Would that not make this thing, I don't know, something LONGER than freaking enormous?
Hope they bring the Equus and new V-8 here. I'll glady hand over my checkbook and retire the Mercedes.
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bduddy 10:18PM (8/07/2009)
It does indeed look "longer then freaking enormous" to me. It's got a good couple feet on that... Sonata? next to it...
the4thheat 2:43AM (8/08/2009)
I think the cars next to it are barely fitting in their parking spots as it is based on the white line behind them. I think it's safe to say that this thing ain't fitting in those spots.
You pretty much need a driver with this thing.
f3rg 7:51PM (8/07/2009)
Gimme!!
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I 7:56PM (8/07/2009)
Anyone else notice the Lump on the rear door, closer to the front?
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futurama 7:58PM (8/07/2009)
Hmm.. those headlights seem to have similar detailing as Lexus LS600h... is Hyundai preparing LED headlights for this limo version???
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teamkitty 7:59PM (8/07/2009)
Is it named VL500 as in "very long"500?
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JDM Life 8:32PM (8/07/2009)
DAMN ! They stole the LS600h Headlight design......sigh. Overrall the car could be mistaken for a Lexus LS.
At least this would be better built & more luxurious then anything Cadillac could build....
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