Fit for VVIPs
Never heard of the Hyundai Equus? When in 2006 the aristocracy of football flew from venue to venue in Germany, visiting matches and bestowing honours, there was always waiting for them on the ground a Hyundai Centennial. For the Football World Cup the Korean manufacturer, as a key sponsor of the championships, had surrounded each stadium with the vehicles of their standard product range. But dignitaries like Sepp Blatter, Franz Beckenbauer and other high functionaries were not to be transported in Sonata, Grandeur or Accent models. For at home in Korea Hyundai had with the Equus (in some markets badged as the Centennial), a limousine which could hold its own with the Mercedes S-Class, the Audi A8 or the Lexus LS. And now, four years later, there’s a new Equus. It’s larger, even more luxurious, a vehicle of such splendour that the chauffeurs in the parking lots of five-star hotels might be inclined to turn green with envy.
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- The mega-Hyundai had its first official outing at the 2010 G20 summit in Seoul, where heads of government were driven in stately fashion from conference to reception in the heavily armoured long-wheelbase version, the Hyundai Equus VL 500.
The Equus at the G20 summit
The latest generation of the Equus had its premiere in the spring of 2009 in Korea and was launched shortly after on the Chinese market. At the end of 2010 the Equus reached the Untied States. This summer at least the shorter VS 460 version should make it finally to Europe. The mega-Hyundai had its first official outing at the 2010 G20 summit in Seoul, where heads of government were driven in stately fashion from conference to reception in the heavily armoured long-wheelbase version, the Hyundai Equus VL 500.
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- The Hyundai Equus is expected to reach Germany this summer and the exact price has not yet been revealed. However it can be expected to be comparable to that of the Lexus LS 460 which starts at 92,300 Euros for the rear-wheel drive model.
Chauffeur obligatory
One does not ridein a Hyundai Equus in the left-hand front seat. One is almost obliged to take one’s place in the right-hand rear seat. In Korea the Equus, all of 5.16 metres long, is delivered not only with soft leather armchair seating and all imaginable amenities but – if implicitly - with a chauffeur. The highly recommended long-wheelbase version measures 5.46 metres. Those in Asian countries who seek automobile superlatives allow themselves to be driven in superb comfort and tranquility from appointment to appointment. It stands to reason, therefore, that to begin our Auto Test we do not take the wheel but rather enter the rear compartment. The wide door lined in the finest leather swings open to reveal pure luxury. On the middle console there is an array of controls to keep the passenger busy. But he quickly realizes that in Korea one tends to sit upright – ‘at attention’ – rather than reclining in plutocrat posture. There are adjustment mechanisms for the seating, but anyone over 1 metre 80 will find himself seriously short of head-room in the back of the Equus.
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- On the console is a switch which lowers the back of the right-hand front seat and allows the deployment of something like an intercontinental business class airliner bed.
Business class travel
A touch of a button on the door and blinds lower to give complete privacy. Double glazing ensures perfect quiet in which to enjoy whatever is on the video screen on the central console or to listen to the sound system. Also on the console is a switch which lowers the back of the right-hand front seat and allows the deployment of something like an intercontinental business class airliner bed. From under the rear seat an extra section folds silently forward and the back of the seat descends. Sweet dreams in Korea’s top limousine. It goes without saying that the seats can be cooled, heated or ordered to give massages. Chilled drinks find their place in the mini-bar.
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- The driver, presumably wearing his white gloves, takes his place in a roomy and well laid out front compartment. Here, too, the seats are almost infinitely adjustable.
But no navigation system?
The driver, presumably wearing his white gloves, takes his place in a roomy and well laid out front compartment. Here, too, the seats are almost infinitely adjustable. While lateral support is less than optimal there is little to criticize. The screen of the navigation system is no distraction, for outside South Korea the system doesn’t work. This deficit will, however, be remedied this year when the European version is launched. Until then it will be better if the chauffeur knows where he’s going or has a portable TomTom device – preferably tucked in his pocket so as not to clash with the aesthetic harmony of the Equus’ interior with anything so primitive as a suction cup mount on the windscreen. The driver can call on front and rear cameras to help with parking and be entertained by the 600 Watt sound system.
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- The Equus, with its 2.1 tons of weight, remains consistently gentle and well behaved. The technology of the Equus owes much to the Genesis model, to be launched in Europe in the course of 2011.
Smooth and powerful
One hardly notices that the eight-cylinder engine is actually running. It is so quiet that it could be the electric module of a hybrid powering the automobile. The 4.6 litre power plant produces 385 horsepower and a maxim torque of 460 Newton metres, enough to ensure surprisingly swift acceleration. The air suspension is understandably designed for total comfort but there is a possibility to stiffen the ride at higher speeds. But this is hardly needed. The Equus, with its 2.1 tons of weight, remains consistently gentle and well behaved. The technology of the Equus owes much to the Genesis model, to be launched in Europe in the course of 2011. Buyers in Korea or the United States who choose the stretched version gain not only 30 centimetres of wheelbase but also engine capacity increased to 5 litres and 50 additional horsepower. The top speed of the Equus is limited to 250 kilometres and hour and for every 100 kilometres the Korean luxury limo calls for 12 litres of super.
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- At the end of 2010 the Equus reached the Untied States. This summer at least the shorter VS 460 version should make it finally to Europe.
No optional extras
The Hyundai Equus is expected to reach Germany this summer and the exact price has not yet been revealed. However it can be expected to be comparable to that of the Lexus LS 460 which starts at 92,300 Euros for the rear-wheel drive model. As with the Lexus LS 460 / 460 AWD the Hyundai Equus will be delivered only with the full luxury fittings. The only choice remaining for the buyer will be the colour of the paintwork. All the comfort and safety features will come as standard as will the various driver assist systems.
