blasterguam
Registered Member
The Equualizer: We drive the 2011 Hyundai Equus luxury sedan
2011 Hyundai Equus
On sale: Second half of 2010
Base price: Less than $64,000, more than $33,000; likely in two models
Drivetrain: 4.6-liter, 368-hp, 333-lb-ft V8; RWD, six-speed automatic
Curb weight: 4,411 lb
0-60 mph: 6.5/6.4 sec (Krafcik-Vaughn method/mfr)
Fuel economy: 21.4 mpg (mfr)
While the feature-laden, technology saturated Korean-made luxury sedan will still get some tuning and packaging tweaks to fit it specifically to U.S. buyers, the car we piloted around Orange County, Calif., was in the same class as its competitors, particularly the Lexus LS 460.
The Lexus sits nearer the entry end of the big luxury-sedan class, starting at a mere $64,000 or so sticker price. Hyundai plans to insert its Equus under that price and somewhere north of its new $33,000 Genesis sedan. That means it has 30 grand to maneuver.
Can the Equus approach the best in class? After a short drive, we'd say, sure.
We would change a few of the things on the car that appeal to the Korean businessman that might not fly so well in the U.S. market. To eliminate any hint of floatiness, the suspension needs better shocks, stiffer rebound and even a little more stiffness in the jounce, especially in the comfort setting. We'd make the throttle response more linear. And we'd lose the headless moth hood ornament, or at least make it a dealer-installed option.
But otherwise, the car is close to U.S.-market demands.
On most roads at moderate speeds, the air-bag rear and air-shock front carried the car along like a sky hook. Acceleration from the 368-hp, 4.6-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 with CVVT was smooth and sure across the tach, whether at full throttle or partial. The six-speed automatic rolled up through the gears without a hint of shift shock, all smooth and even. Roll was well-controlled in our moderate suburban cornering. The electro-hydraulic power steering had the right amount of luxury-sedan isolation for the class. Balance for the 4,411-pound car is 52 percent front, 48 rear, which sounds promising if an owner should ever really push the car through corners.
But inside was where the Equus really showed its luxury-car cachet.
Read more...
2011 Hyundai Equus
On sale: Second half of 2010
Base price: Less than $64,000, more than $33,000; likely in two models
Drivetrain: 4.6-liter, 368-hp, 333-lb-ft V8; RWD, six-speed automatic
Curb weight: 4,411 lb
0-60 mph: 6.5/6.4 sec (Krafcik-Vaughn method/mfr)
Fuel economy: 21.4 mpg (mfr)
While the feature-laden, technology saturated Korean-made luxury sedan will still get some tuning and packaging tweaks to fit it specifically to U.S. buyers, the car we piloted around Orange County, Calif., was in the same class as its competitors, particularly the Lexus LS 460.
The Lexus sits nearer the entry end of the big luxury-sedan class, starting at a mere $64,000 or so sticker price. Hyundai plans to insert its Equus under that price and somewhere north of its new $33,000 Genesis sedan. That means it has 30 grand to maneuver.
Can the Equus approach the best in class? After a short drive, we'd say, sure.
We would change a few of the things on the car that appeal to the Korean businessman that might not fly so well in the U.S. market. To eliminate any hint of floatiness, the suspension needs better shocks, stiffer rebound and even a little more stiffness in the jounce, especially in the comfort setting. We'd make the throttle response more linear. And we'd lose the headless moth hood ornament, or at least make it a dealer-installed option.
But otherwise, the car is close to U.S.-market demands.
On most roads at moderate speeds, the air-bag rear and air-shock front carried the car along like a sky hook. Acceleration from the 368-hp, 4.6-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 with CVVT was smooth and sure across the tach, whether at full throttle or partial. The six-speed automatic rolled up through the gears without a hint of shift shock, all smooth and even. Roll was well-controlled in our moderate suburban cornering. The electro-hydraulic power steering had the right amount of luxury-sedan isolation for the class. Balance for the 4,411-pound car is 52 percent front, 48 rear, which sounds promising if an owner should ever really push the car through corners.
But inside was where the Equus really showed its luxury-car cachet.
Read more...
