Is Hyundai getting serious?
Hyundai has revealed design sketches of its next generation Equus luxury car – a model that should send a shiver down the spine of established global luxury brands in a week that has already seen Hyundai’s Genesis saloon rated ahead of established ‘upscale’ offerings in the US.
The respected Consumer Reports’ road test of the Genesis against rivals such as the Lexus ES 350, Acura TL, Nissan Maxima and Saab 9-5 declared the Hyundai a clear winner. CR says the Korean model’s performance in a battery of tests solidifies the maker’s reputation as a builder of high quality vehicles in several diverse segments, having previously named the Elantra and Santa Fe as ‘top picks’ in their categories.
Against such a background, it’s certain that luxury brands around the world will be keeping close tabs on the new Equus when it goes on sale next year. The model has been around for 10 years in South Korea, going through a series of rapid developments that will make the 2010 version the 4th generation, but 2010 will be the first time the Equus hits showrooms in the US.
Based on an extended Genesis platform, the new model will be launched with a 4.6 litre V8 coupled to an 8-speed auto gearbox. Hot on the entry model’s heels will be a 5.0 litre V8 Equus making something over 400bhp. Is the writing on the wall..?