Hyundai Equus

The Hyundai Equus (현대 에쿠스), known as the Hyundai Centennial in the Middle East, is a full-size high-end luxury car that serves as the flagship model of Hyundai Motor Company. The Hyundai Equus is the largest and most expensive sedan in the company's lineup. In 2009, the company released a new version on a rear-wheel drive platform aimed to compete with the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8, Lexus LS.

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Recent Changes
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Styles and Major Options
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Pricing
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Gas Mileage
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As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Engine and Transmission
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Performance
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Reliability

 * Warranty: free maintenance for 5 years or 60,000 miles + complimentary valet service

Safety
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Colors
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Main Competitors
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Hybrid Models
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Unique Attributes
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Interior
The Equus arrives in the US market in two trims: the base Signature and the flagship Ultimate.

The Signature model's interior come equipped as standard with a 608-watt Lexicon audio system with 17 speakers, leather seating, Alcantara suede headliner, driver seat massage, heated and cooled front seats, heated wood, leather steering wheel and a multimedia screen at the front that also serves as display for the front and rear parking assistance system with rearview camera.

The Ultimate builds on the Signature with several additional features including a forward-view parking and cornering camera, power decklid, reclining rear seats with powered headrests, cooled rear seats, rear seat massage and leg support (ottoman), rear seat refrigerator and a rear seat entertainment system.

Resale Values
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Criticisms
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Generations
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Current Generation: (2009–present)
In March 2009, Hyundai unveiled the new high-end flagship model, codename "VI". The VI is a completely different model from the old Equus. Unlike the old Equus, the VI has a rear-wheel drive architecture, a longer wheelbase, and a different engine. The VI is based on an all-new platform, that has been entirely developed by Hyundai Motor Corporation. Although the car has nothing in common with the previous Equus, the VI takes only the name from old Equus, because the name 'Equus' has prestige in Korea.

The Korean domestic market Equus comes as a 3.8L "Prime" and a 4.6L "Prestige" in South Korea. It is the most expensive model in the company's lineup. It became available in South Korea on March 11, 2009. It launched in the People's Republic of China in August 2009. The Hyundai Equus was listed in the '10 exciting cars for 2010' from Forbes.

At the 2010 North American International Auto Show, the Equus made its North American debut. At the 2010 New York Auto Show the US-Spec version was revealed with the same 4.6L V8 engine as the Genesis except with 10 hp (7 kW) more than the current version. This puts the total engine output at 385 hp (287 kW) with 333 lb·ft (451 N·m). It was also revealed that the Hyundai Equus will be receiving a 5.0L V8 with 429 hp (320 kW) and 376 lb·ft (510 N·m). This engine will be an option for the Equus after January 2011. This engine will also be placed in the facelifted 2012 Hyundai Genesis. and possibly the 2nd Generation Hyundai Genesis Coupe The North American Equus features a badge attached on the hood as opposed to the hood ornament on international models, and an iPad device is stated to be included in the car with an Equus user's guide application pre-installed as opposed to a traditional manual.

Limousine model
On September 2009, Hyundai unveiled long wheelbase version Equus limousine. It is 300 mm (11.8 in) longer than the sedan version, increasing comfort for the VIP passenger with Tau engine V8 5.0L, which delivers a peak torque of 368 lb·ft (499 N·m). The stretch edition offers several upgraded features from the normal sedan version, including differentiated exterior designs and longer overall length. The limousine model has an exclusive horizontal cross-bar radiator grille, as well as features such as a power-driven footrest, rear-seat leg support and a massage system.

Hyundai has also developed a bulletproof presidential limousine, based on this limousine model, with an enlarged 5.5L version of the V8 engine. On September 2009, Hyundai delivered three bulletproof limousine versions of the luxury sedan Equus to the South Korea Presidential Security Service. Hyundai designed this vehicle with a special alloy, and it has an automatic cooling system in case of fire as well as bulletproof windows.

First Generation/Origins (1999-2008)
In 1999, Hyundai Motors and Mitsubishi Motors presented their full-size sedan. Hyundai said that it was making a full-size sedan to compete with Mercedes-Benz and BMW in the Korean market. Hyundai had great success with this car in Korea, but very few were exported to foreign countries.

The first generation was designed by Mitsubishi Motors who had their own version called the Dignity. It was jointly manufactured by both companies. The first generation car was introduced in 1999 as a front wheel drive car measuring 5.1 metres (200.8 in) long and 1.9 metres (74.8 in) wide. A long-wheelbase limousine model was available exclusively for the Korean domestic market, and at 92,510,000 South Korean won for the 2008 model with a V8 and no options, was the most expensive model in the company's lineup. The first generation Equus was also mechanically related to the Mitsubishi Dignity for the Japanese market. The first generation Equus were sold in South Korea, China, and the Middle East. A very limited number, badged as the Centennial, were made available for some western European markets in the early and mid 2000s. At first, were the engines only two types – 3.5 Sigma V6 and 4.5 8A80 (Omega) V8 engine. After few months, the 3.0 Sigma V6 engine type was added. Two versions were available: a sedan (3.0, 3.5 and 4.5) and limousine (3.5 and 4.5). In Japan, under the name of Mitsubishi Dignity (limousine version) and Mitsubishi Proudia (sedan version), about 2,000 units were sold. Specifically, the 4.5 8A80 (Omega) V8 engine was a GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) type engine which was designed and developed by Mitsubishi Motors. This engine was optimized with premium unleaded gasoline fuel, but there were little opportunity to get this type of fuel in Korea at that time. So, most of these engines used normal unleaded gasoline fuel, and then had significant performance issues, about which drivers of this engine-type complained. Finally, Hyundai Motors modified this engine from a GDI Type to a MPI (Multi Point Injection) type to solve the issue.

In 2003, Hyundai presented their 'New Equus', changing the hood design and some of interior. A 7 inch screen for the rear seat, Xenon headlamps, front parking sensors, etc were newly offered. Mitsubishi Motors ended the production of Mitsubishi Proudia and Mitsubishi Dignity, unlike Hyundai. From 2005, 3.0 and 3.5 Sigma V6 engine types were changed to 3.3 and 3.8 Lambda V6 engine types which were designed and developed by Hyundai Motors. But the automatic transmission was not changed. Hyundai officially ceased the production of 1st generation Equus in November 2008. A new bigger, rear-wheel drive Equus was launched in March 2009.

Limousine model
A limousine model was made for the Korean market. The Equus Limousine have been used for famous company owners in Korea or foreign VIPs.

Worldwide
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Design quirks and oddities
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Awards
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