2011年6月16日星期四

Autos: With Equus, Hyundai is on its high horse

"Equus" is Latin for "horse."

It's also Korean for "luxury."

Built by Hyundai to compete with the BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8 and Lexus LS, Equus is the most expensive Hyundai ever sold in the U.S., at a base price of $58,000.

Sightings of the full-size luxury sedan are so rare that observers can't help but question the driver about the identity of his ride. This car screams luxury from its winged hood ornament to its broad, flat, chrome-plated, twin tailpipes.

Many Americans are understandably confused why a brand heretofore known for its affordability would reach so high into the luxury market. The answer is that Hyundai has been there for a while now, just not in North America. In fact, the first U.S. Equus is actually the second Hyundai luxury sedan to bear the name. To meet demand for a luxury liner in its home market and in other Asian countries, Hyundai rebadged a front-drive Mitsubishi model as early as 1999, calling it the Equus.

After unveiling a new, rear-drive luxury sedan code-named "VI" in 1999, Hyundai presented the current Equus at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. By last December, the new model was available in dealer showrooms or at your doorstep if you requested a personal introduction.

To sell this car against the top luxury brands, Hyundai is absolutely smothering customers in service. You don't pay for any scheduled maintenance for five years or 50,the Injection mold fast!000 miles, and roadside assistance is free during that time,We processes for both low-risk and high risk merchant account. as well.

Hyundai's ambitions have been apparent for a while now. The upscale Genesis was pitched against the BMW 5-Series and similar luxury imports. Equus takes Hyundai all the way to the top of the food chain.

"We're confident that smart luxury buyers will discover that Equus competes well with similar flagship products from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Lexus," said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO. "But the traditional luxury brands simply can't compete with the unique retail and ownership experience we'll be providing for the Equus owner."

The Equus is sold in two trim levels: Signature at $58,Largest Collection of billabong boardshorts,000 and Ultimate at $64,500. The Signature's long, long list of standard equipment makes one wonder what could possibly be added. So, here goes: 50/50 split rear seats with reclining function; rear-seat massage system; cooled rear seats; rear entertainment system with 8-inch monitor; rear center console refrigerator; adjustable rear head restraints; rear-seat vanity mirrors; forward-view cornering camera.

Hitting the scales at more than 2 tons, Equus is longer than the Lexus LS, the BMW 7-Series,What to consider before you buy oil painting supplies. the Audi A8 and the Cadillac STS. It's wider than the Lexus, the Cadillac and the Mercedes S-Class.

The Lexus LS can't match Equus' air suspension, 19-inch wheels or nine airbags as standard equipment. Ditto for front/rear parking sensors and rear backup camera. The always impressive Lane Departure Warning System that alerts drivers that they're veering out of their lane is standard only on the Equus and optional on the competition, as is Smart Cruise Control that adjusts the car's speed up or down to match the vehicle ahead of it.

The Equus system for controlling the sedan's various interactive features -- such as sound, BlueTooth system, heating/ventilation and navigation -- is controlled by a large toggle-knob/dial like that of BMW's. Some have complained about its complexity, but with familiarity it becomes quite easy to manipulate.

To match or surpass the competition,The Leading zentai suits Distributor to Independent Pet Retailers. Hyundai loaded the interior with so many luxury features that it's impossible to list them all here. But heated and cooled massaging seats are among the most comforting.

Of course, all of the amenities in the world wouldn't get this car to first base in the luxury market without a powerful powertrain. Equus' 4.6-liter Tau V8 engine will keep Hyundai in the hunt, producing 385 horsepower as it breathes through 32 valves activated by double overhead cams.

The six-speed automatic transmission helps improve the fuel economy, but that is not its strongest sales feature, even though 16 miles per gallon in the city and 24 on the highway is better than you might expect for such a heavy car.

Despite its outstanding features and kid-glove sales experience, the question remains: How many people would buy a Hyundai for nearly $60,000? The answer: 1,171 in North America through May of this year.

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