Hyundai develops stretched Equus limo for home market [w/VIDEO]
Hyundai has just launched a new Equus limousine in its home market designed to appeal to executives that really need extra stretch-out room. The new Equus VL500 has had 12 inches of extra length inserted in between its axles. The extra length means that the already large Equus now bests other competitors like the Lexus LS460L and Mercedes S500L by almost 15 inches in rear leg room.
For those not in a hurry, the new limo uses the Lambda 3.8-liter V6 as the standard powerplant. The new 5.0-liter version of the company's Tau V8 is optional with 394 horsepower. As befits such a ride, the longer Equus incorporates features like power rear footrests and massaging seats. Korean customers can order the factory stretch now at prices ranging from the equivalent of $113,000 to $122,180, but at this time, Hyundai America has no comment about a possible U.S. variant to accompany the previously-announced standard-length model. Be sure to check out the press release and video available after the jump.
Gallery: Hyundai Equus Limo
[Source: Hyundai]
PRESS RELEASE:
HYUNDAI LAUNCHES STRETCH EDITION OF ITS LUXURY FLAGSHIP, EQUUS
- Features award-winning Tau Engine in V8 5.0L version
- Offering the world's most comfortable passenger experience
*All specifications in this release are Korean domestic.
(Seoul, Korea) Hyundai Motor Co. today began receiving orders for the long wheelbase edition of its most luxurious car, the EQUUS.
The stretch edition offers several upgraded features from the normal sedan version, including differentiated exterior designs and longer overall length. The engine and other functions have been reinforced to attain first-class performance, safety, comfort and convenience.
With the comfort of passengers at the forefront of its design principle, the EQUUS Limousine, as it is named in Korea, offers passengers unparalleled levels of interior volume. The vehicle's length is longer than major competitors by as much as 310 mm, with backseat legroom as much as 376 mm longer, as well.
To differentiate it from the EQUUS sedan, the stretch version is equipped with an exclusive horizontal cross-bar radiator grille with an emblem in the center. Thus, the exterior image exudes an impression of strength and confidence, in line with the vehicle's elegant image.
EQUUS Limousine comes with a choice of two sophisticated engines: The Lambda 3.8L engine and the Tau 5.0L engine. The Tau 5.0 engine, applied to the stretch version for the first time, is a reinforced version of the Tau 4.6L engine that won the 2009 Ward's 10 Best Engines award.
With a maximum output of 400ps and a peak torque rating of 51.0kg, the stretch version outperforms its competitors, such as the Lexus LS460L and Mercedes S500L by 20ps and 12ps, respectively.
The power-driven footrest, the world's first, along with Rear Seat Leg Support, Relax Posture Control and Massage System function, allows passengers the most comfortable driving experience found today.
The price for the long wheelbase edition EQUUS ranges from 135 million won to 146 million won (approximately US$113,000 to US$122,180, based on today's currency exchange rates).
Additionally, Hyundai has successfully developed a bulletproof version of the long wheelbase EQUUS and has donated three units to the Blue House (the Korean Presidential Residence). Hyundai is the first Korean company ? and one of a handful worldwide - to develop a bulletproof car with its own technology.
■ EQUUS Limousine Specifications
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CLASSIFICATION |
EQUUS |
EQUUS LIMOUSINE |
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Dimension (mm) |
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Engine |
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(with premium oil) |
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(with premium oil) |
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Suspension |
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275/40R19 (R) |
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● Comparison with competitors
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Classification |
EQUUS Limousine |
Lexus LS460L |
Mercedes S500L |
BMW750Li |
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Spec (mm) |
Length |
5,460 |
5,150 |
5,210 |
5,212 |
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Width |
1,900 |
1,875 |
1,870 |
1,902 |
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Height |
1,495 |
1,465 |
1,475 |
1,478 |
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Wheelbase |
3,345 |
3,090 |
3,165 |
3,210 |
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Rear Seat Leg Room |
1,310 |
980 |
934 |
1,030 |
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Engine |
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
754Boy 9:37AM (9/29/2009)
Looks Maybach-ish. But I would be hard pressed to pay $110k+ for a Hyundai.
Reply
Sal Collaziano 10:09AM (9/29/2009)
As others have mentioned, it wouldn't cost $110k if brought to America. You'd probably be looking at around $75k - which is certainly a bargain for this vehicle. So now we have the 5.0 Tau ready to go at almost 400 horsepower. Very nice.. That and the fact that this engine was developed with supercharging in mind makes me very curious as to what to expect in the future. I've sat in the Equus and while it's not 100% up to Lexus LS460 / Mercedes S550 quality - it's very, very close. In fact, as close as you can get without actually BEING the Lexus or Mercedes...
Sal Collaziano
http://www.equusforums.com
zamafir 11:16AM (9/29/2009)
"You'd probably be looking at around $75k - which is certainly a bargain for this vehicle."
Which, a VW taught us, doesn't matter in North America. The Phaeton was a hard enough sell while being built on the same chassis as the Bentley and providing a truly wonderful driving experience (for those who've even driven it). Best of luck to Hyundai, this will be an impossible sale. Well the Phaeton was impossible, so this will be impossible^2
jsjs 2:16PM (9/29/2009)
Like you have $110K.
Btw, the limo that the Japanese royal family rides in is a ...Toyota.
Get over it, in Asia (well, Korea and Japan) - the auto manufacturers tend to be full-line manufacturers/brands (albeit, the Equus and Genesis for Hyundai and the Crown for Toyota are more like sub-brands).
eiceman 3:41AM (9/30/2009)
The Price in KDM is a lot higher like ones in European markets due to Korea's high tax rate on automobiles, which exceeds 20% on most of cars. So, KDM price is at least 15%-20% higher than that of US market. For example, Lexsus 460L is over $140K, BMW 750LI is about $160K, MB 500SEL would be around 170K. So, Equus is substantially cheaper, yet bigger with more luxrious features compared to other imports in its class. Therefore, there is market for $110 Hyundai in Korean Domestic Market.
Recently, Hyundai has made presidential Limo with prtesidential protection packages, and Korean secret service will use the Equus Limos instead of the currently used MB 600SL and BMW 760LI. So Hyundai has become the fourth major automibile company who manufactures Presidential Limos with protection packages.
But I'm a bit disappointed with the new 5.0 Tau. I was expecting more than 420 for its output, yet it barely meet 400 instead. I guess they were trying to be sensetive with fuel efficiency, yet I wonder if anybody would be concerned with fuel efficiency that much as they ride in a limo with a chauffeur.
HotRodzNKustoms 9:42AM (9/29/2009)
Even a pro basketball player could stretch out with that kind of legroom!
Reply
Other Man 9:44AM (9/29/2009)
How do they calculate the torque?
The only way I figure I get 465 lb-ft and that's soo not right.
Reply
eiceman 4:14AM (9/30/2009)
Based upon the exchange rate feet / meter and pound/kilogram,
( 1 lb - 0.454545 kg / 1 meter - 0.3 meter ) 51kg/m should be around 374lb/ft
rather than 465lb/ft.
It this 5.0 Tau get supercharged, I think it could be possible to pump up 452lb/ft.
JD 9:50AM (9/29/2009)
Nice looking car, although it looks like a blend of the old Lexus LS and the new LS.
Reply
jsjs 2:12PM (9/29/2009)
So, in other words, a blend of the previous gen S Class and 7 Series.
JDM Life 5:02PM (9/29/2009)
& jsjs
Noooo....it looks like a LS....
reading comprehension fail....
imoore 9:51AM (9/29/2009)
I really don't think the stretched Equus will come to the US, and if it does, it probably won't cost near $110k--I would say at least $75,000. Still cheaper than Lexus and Mercedes, and probably just as good or even better. We need to remember that this is not the same Hyundai of 1985-1998, with cars that are aimed at the bad-credit customers.
As for the first post, I'm getting fed up with these spammers. It seems that since everybody is either blocking or deleting junk email and popup, these jokers are posting their trash on our blog sites and forums. Isn't there something the webmasters can do to stop this?
Reply
Sal Collaziano 10:11AM (9/29/2009)
The first post I see says, "Looks Maybach-ish. But I would be hard pressed to pay $110k+ for a Hyundai."... Maybe they already deleted the spam...
Sal C.
imoore 2:38PM (9/29/2009)
They did delete it. Thanks, Sal.
Now if they can only find a way to stop all spam before it hits the blogs.
Avinash machado 9:55AM (9/29/2009)
Would make a nice limo for places like NYC. The Town Cars feel outdated and this could be a nice replacement.
Reply
skablaw 10:05AM (9/29/2009)
Avinash,
Yes... they would be very nice as limos in NYC, but I think at the going dealer retail price (to say nothing of fleet discounts), you could buy four or five Town Cars for what one of these costs, and you couldn't have the Equus repaired by an octogenarian mechanic from Jersey named "Sal" for $10 bucks an hour.
Avinash machado 10:16AM (9/29/2009)
Good points,skablaw. Price wise the Town Car is better. But it will be going out of production soon.
Hamhock 10:44AM (9/29/2009)
@skablaw,
You're a little behind the times, buddy. Most octagenarians named Sal around here seem to be worth millions from either getting a job on the NYSE through nepotism or from owning 10 apartment buildings they bought for $5,000 apiece in the 1950s. The $10/hr hack more than likely has a long beard....
dukeisduke 9:56AM (9/29/2009)
I'll take the limo, and the girl in black.
Reply
Thomas 11:36AM (9/29/2009)
There's enough room in the car for them both. Take two!