Hyundai EQUUS Stretch Edition Launched

Stretched Equus, at 5.460 meters, is longer than L-versions of the Mercedes S-Class and the BMW 7-series

By Alex Ricciuti
September 29, 2009 3:17 PM
Filed Under: Asian, Hyundai

Hyundai certainly has come a long way in the past two decades. Here they are now competing with the Mercedes S-Class and the BMW 7-series.

The Korean automaker has released an extended-wheelbase version of the Equus full-sized sedan. The stretched Equus is 30 centimeters longer than the standard model and outsizes the competition in most of its dimensions.

The Equus Limousine measures in at 5.460 meters in length, longer than the Mercedes S500L, the BMW 750Li and the Lexus LS460L - each a stretched version of those respective brand's flagship models. At 1.495 meters in height, it is also the tallest.

Under the hood, the ambition is just as great. The Equus limo comes with two engines, either the Lambda 3.8 liter 6-cylinder or the Tau 5.0 liter V8. The latter sports a healthy 400 hp that is the equal in strength of the competition too.

The Equus limousine will distinguish itself with its looks as well, just in case one's eye cannot gauge the extra 30 centimeters. The stretched Equus comes with a new grill featuring horizontal bars and a special emblem in the middle.

Still, with a price tag starting at 135 million Korean won ($113,000 or €77,200) it may just be a 'stretch', pardon the pun, to convince consumers that this Hyundai is a deserving rival to those premium German brands.

 

Source: Hyundai

Press Release (Click to expand)

Hyundai Launches Stretch Edition of Its Luxury Flagship, EQUUS

  • 300 mm longer than the sedan version, increasing comfort for the VIP passenger
  • 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

CLASSIFICATION

EQUUS SEDAN

EQUUS LIMOUSINE

Dimension

(mm)


Overall Length


5,160


5,460


Overall Width


1,900


1,900


Overall Height


1,495


1,495


Wheel Base


3,045


3,345

Engine


Name


V6


V8


V6


V8


Displacement (CC)


3,778


4,627


3,778


5,038


Max.Output




(ps/rpm)


290/6,200


366/6,500


290/6,200


400/6,400




(with premium oil)


Max. Torque




(kg?m/pm)


36.5/4,500


44.8/3,500


36.5/4,500


51.0/3,500




(with premium oil)


Fuel efficiency (km/l)


9.3


8.8


9.0


8.0


Empty Vehicle Weight(Kg)


1,875


2,025


2,040


2,125

Suspension


Front


Multi-link


Multi-link


Rear


Multi-link


Multi-link


Max Tire


245/45R19 (F)




275/40R19 (R)

 

Comparison with competitors

Classification

EQUUS Limousine

Lexus LS460L

Mercedes

S500L

BMW750Li

Spec

(mm)

Length

5,460

5,150

5,210

5,212

Width

1,900

1,875

1,870

1,902

Height

1,495

1,465

1,475

1,478

Wheelbase

3,345

3,090

3,165

3,210

Rear Seat Leg Room

1,310

980

934

1,030

Engine

Number of Cylinders

8

8

8

8

Displacement(CC)

5,038

4,608

5,462

4,395

Max output

400

380

388

407

Comments

Hardboy997
September 29, 2009 3:25 PM
Lexus style. But very good for Hyundai.

autoficianado
September 29, 2009 3:40 PM
it's got design cues from several premium vehicles...headlight shape/fenders/pontoon styling below beltline from MB, Lexus 600H headlight elements, Lexus style over a smoothed out BMW side profile above the beltline, Audi in the D pillar and Acura rear taillights. It's unoffensive & attractive but we have seen this design before albeit in pieces...but for $113,000...no thanks...I would buy a Maserati Quattroporte instead...


Edited by user on September 29, 2009 at 3:46 PM
najdier
September 29, 2009 10:20 PM
There may be a mistake in quoting the price. The car is currently being launched in the Gulf under the name Cenntenial (the previous generation was sold here since 2000 under the same name). The Standard wheelbase top model with the 4.6 and full rear seat package, including fixed rear console with full adjustment/massage/cooling and fridge costs around $60.000, give or take a few thousands. The LWB model should cost no more than $8000 more, judging by previous generation prices. Hyundai will likely be keen to undercut all rivals to maintain price advantage.

Renegade
September 29, 2009 4:28 PM
Is to much LS in that car.

majorsja
September 29, 2009 4:57 PM
Actually it is the LS done better

Lutzie
October 4, 2009 6:54 AM
A poorly proportioned pastiche of the current MB and Lexus. With a particularly kitsch interior that looks a bit like Emirates Airlines' business class.

2010S5
September 29, 2009 4:41 PM
Woah that looks excessive, but in a good way. Looks much more interesting than any Lexus. Very nice.

GRAVE
September 29, 2009 5:34 PM
$113k !! man the LS460L is much cheaper and more luxurious! even the S500 and 750 are cheaper too and million times more luxurious, and they are Germans!

2010S5
September 29, 2009 6:03 PM
And in what respect are they more luxurious?

velsatisGT
September 29, 2009 10:47 PM
LS460 is more expansive in korea

F.J.M.B.TECH
September 29, 2009 6:47 PM
nice ripoff of a S class and Maybach

Hero Sina
September 29, 2009 7:08 PM
i don't like Equus,actually i hate it.it is a copy of other luxury models with bigger tag. It is not the hyundai way,genesis is as good as europian sedans and it is cheap , but not Equus. a 113k car would work if it has Bmw or Lexus badge but not Hyundai.

majorsja
September 29, 2009 9:59 PM
That's not a fair comment because the the luxury brands steal from each other all the time. At least Hyundai has enought sense to only steal the good parts of each whereas BMW, MB, and Lexus tend to steal the quirky looking parts from each other.

Syd
September 29, 2009 9:47 PM
There is no question this vehicle looks luxury, but they make the same mistake as VW when the intoduce the Phaeton. Hyundai is a cheap car for everybody. If the want to market their product in this segment, they need different name like Lexus for Toyota. The poor sales will prove this

Syd

majorsja
September 29, 2009 10:03 PM
I think they are heading that way, hence the totally different badge and the hood ornament that says nothing about Hyundai. It's just a matter of time.

velsatisGT
September 29, 2009 10:56 PM
u people don't get it.. the prices in the U.S. and Korea are different! LS460 costs 108k and 460L costs 135K and guess what? Mitsubishi Lancer's starting price is 28K!

humsin94
September 30, 2009 5:08 AM
unbelievable. i would never buy this car. look at how badly the stretch is done. the b-pillar looks ridiculous (maybe korean tradition, as previously shown in the ssangyong chairman). for over 100k, no way for a hyundai. saying, "i drive an s-class," is way better than saying, "i drive a hyundai."

epic fail, hyundai.

BrianWCF
October 1, 2009 4:03 PM
Interior photo has been added to article.

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