Hyundai has officially confirmed its intention to launch the luxurious Equus sedan in the United States next year. The vehicle was first introduces in the U.S. at the 2009 New York Auto Show in April. According to John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO, the Equus received a “fantastic” response back then. “Since then, we’ve had a fleet travelling around the country, capturing input from our dealers and consumers. Here, too, the response was extraordinarily positive, and similar to the market reaction to the award-winning Genesis, so we’ve decided to bring it to the U.S.”
Hyundai Equus was created to attempt to compete with premium models such as Lexus, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-Series.
The Equus is rear-wheel drive vehicle that shares much of its mechanicals with the Genesis but sits above the Genesis in the firm’s automobile line-up and at 203.1 inches (5,160 mm is 7.2 inches (182 mm) longer than the latter. In South Korean market, the Equus is available fitted with a 3.8-liter V6 and 4.6-liter V8 engines, but Hyundai is expected to introduce an even more luxurious long wheelbase model that will feature a 5.0-liter V8 engine.
Hyundai announced that the new flagship model of the company will be sold in the United States beginning in late 2010. The pricing, packaging, specifications, and the final name of the car for the U.S. market will be announced closer to launch.
