Inside Line takes a ride in the Equus

[YEH]

Some interesting comments about the interior and suspension/ride.

At 160 km/h, Krafcik finally backs off. That's about 100 mph, and from the passenger seat I'm impressed with the ride and stability of the Equus. It's a bit firmer than I thought it would be. It's not quite as tied down as a Hyundai Genesis, but it's not the floaty Korean-market limo I was expecting. You definitely feel the road, although there's a little less rebound control than there should be.

Time to ask about that Sport button. "It's for the suspension," says Krafcik. "Push it, see what happens."

I do, and suddenly the Equus is the floaty Korean-market limo I was expecting. "Wow, big difference," I say, pushing the button again and getting the air suspension back into Sport mode. "Don't go there."

Interesting. (Methinks the Genesis really needs the air suspension.)

He's right about one thing, because the interior of this Equus is up to the challenge. The fit and finish is exceptional. The leather is soft. The seat is cush and comfortable, if a little flat, and the headliner is an acre of Alcantara suede, just like you get in an S65 AMG. There's even French stitching on the leather-wrapped dash. The metallic trim on the center stack and console is plastic and not real aluminum, though. It looks good, but should be the real thing.

No, it's not quite as nice inside the Equus as in the interiors of the luxury sedans it has targeted in the marketplace, but it's close, and the Equus should undercut those sedans by $20,000 or more. Krafcik won't get specific on price, but says enough for us to guess that the 2011 Hyundai Equus will start at $48,000 and top out at about $58,000.

"Our challenge is to make sure it doesn't become the next VW Phaeton," Krafcik notes. Keeping the price under $60,000 seems to be a key to achieving that goal. "There will be two packages," he continues. "A base car and one with all the backseat stuff."

I agree that the metallic trim should be aluminum, and there should be more than 2 packages since price is likely to be the key factor.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=152806?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..1.*

 

[Flex59]

I LOVE THE EQUUS! And if its' true that it may start at $48,000, it may be atainable for me to lease. I would assume that the $48,000 would be the V6!?

And I do agree with YEH, there should be different packages offering different options. For example, I don't want nor need the Radar Cruise control. Nor do I want the rear passengers to control the radio or move the front seats. I do agree that they should have rear powered air/heated seats, power side rear window shades.

Finally, I wish they offered rear bucket seats without the foot rest, just regular powered and air/heated!

Flex59

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Great article! Let's see what kind of comments we get from "everybody else"...

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f29/edmunds-gets-ride-new-s-class-competitor-81964/
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...ons/174736-edmunds-gets-ride-new-s-class.html

 

[jwaters943]

Don't forget The Car Lounge:

http://forums.thecarlounge.com/zerothread?id=4479997

 

[ajls09873]

Time to ask about that Sport button. "It's for the suspension," says Krafcik. "Push it, see what happens."

I do, and suddenly the Equus is the floaty Korean-market limo I was expecting. "Wow, big difference," I say, pushing the button again and getting the air suspension back into Sport mode. "Don't go there."

Krafcik first came to Hyundai Motor America in 2004 as the company's vice president of product development and strategic planning, and his home garage is stuffed full with a Porsche 911 C2S (997) and a Caterham 7, so I know he knows what I mean.

And at that moment Krafcik nails the throttle and redlines a couple of gears. "Feels good, huh?" he asks.

Yeah, he knows.

so, equus offer 'sports mode'.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

so, equus offer 'sports mode'.

Apparently, yes. I think this is important as the car can now cater to two crowds - performance and pure luxury.

 

[thomaspf]

Apparently, yes. I think this is important as the car can now cater to two crowds - performance and pure luxury.

So does the Genesis Sedan everywhere in the world except the US!

The fact that air suspension shows up in some show cars from Korea is apparently no guarantee that an equally capable product will be introduced to the US. I would not be surprised to see another stripped down low end version brought to the US.

 

[ajls09873]

So does the Genesis Sedan everywhere in the world except the US!

The fact that air suspension shows up in some show cars from Korea is apparently no guarantee that an equally capable product will be introduced to the US. I would not be surprised to see another stripped down low end version brought to the US.

Only the Chinese and Korean version have the adjustable air suspension.(Because They like full marshmallow suspension.)
But you have to remember, North America version Genesis have high spec engine.
Only North America version Genesis have 4.6 engine, and remeber it offers as 3 series price.

North America consumers do not like marshmallow tuned suspension, They want "performance".
East Asian consumers do not like big capacity engine with bad fuel economy. because, gas price is really high in there. Big engine automobile's tax is really high in there. so they want "comfort" than "performance".

The Genesis sedan in Asia cost almost twice as much as the ones in the States. It's mostly due to the gadgets and gizmos they put in it. IMO, they can have the air suspension and the bells and whistles. I'll keep my $20-30K saved and use it for something else.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

So does the Genesis Sedan everywhere in the world except the US!

The fact that air suspension shows up in some show cars from Korea is apparently no guarantee that an equally capable product will be introduced to the US. I would not be surprised to see another stripped down low end version brought to the US.

The Genesis isn't the flagship at Hyundai - only the flagships at these companies have adjustable suspensions. At least here in America. I know - you might consider the Genesis a "flagship" right now - but it's just not "that" car. With the Equus, it would be a huge mistake leaving out an adjustable suspension. On the Genesis - not so much...

 

[dataguy]

Anyone have any experience with air suspensions on other cars? I've only heard that they are harder and more costly to service than conventional systems.

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[LLT]

North America consumers do not like marshmallow tuned suspension, They want "performance".

There are other cars to fit the performance need. I bought the Genesis for "luxury" -- I'll take marshmallows, thanks (or at least the option.) Based on the number of complaints on this forum alone, I suspect I'm not alone.

I'd have preferred Hyundai tune the suspension more towards comfort... I'd rather them have upset the few that want to drive it like they stole it rather than those who now feel a bit misled. Or, maybe put the softer suspension on the V6 and if you're looking for performance, get the V8.


Dataguy - I have an air suspension on my Lincoln. I've had zero problems.... the bags and compressor might be somewhat more to service, but the benefits far outweigh the caveats IMHO.

 

[thomaspf]

Only the Chinese and Korean version have the adjustable air suspension.(Because They like full marshmallow suspension.)
But you have to remember, North America version Genesis have high spec engine.
Only North America version Genesis have 4.6 engine, and remeber it offers as 3 series price.

North America consumers do not like marshmallow tuned suspension, They want "performance".
East Asian consumers do not like big capacity engine with bad fuel economy. because, gas price is really high in there. Big engine automobile's tax is really high in there. so they want "comfort" than "performance".

The Genesis sedan in Asia cost almost twice as much as the ones in the States. It's mostly due to the gadgets and gizmos they put in it. IMO, they can have the air suspension and the bells and whistles. I'll keep my $20-30K saved and use it for something else.

Air suspension does not mean marshmallow ride. Audi and Mercedes do not offer this type of suspension to create a floaty ride on the autobahn but rather the opposite. I recently drove in an Audi S5 with the drive select system. Very sweet indeed and that is a real performance car. You can get this in an A4 and it's not a special option reserved for the top of the line model.

It sounds like Hyundai wants to repeat the playbook of the Genesis and enter the US market at an aggressive price. What are they removing out from the full featured Korean version to make that price work? Stripping the air suspension was a bad call on the Genesis. Let's hope for the best with the Equus.

Cheers

Thomas

 

[wallymn]

There are other cars to fit the performance need. I bought the Genesis for "luxury" -- I'll take marshmallows, thanks (or at least the option.) Based on the number of complaints on this forum alone, I suspect I'm not alone.

I'd have preferred Hyundai tune the suspension more towards comfort... I'd rather them have upset the few that want to drive it like they stole it rather than those who now feel a bit misled. Or, maybe put the softer suspension on the V6 and if you're looking for performance, get the V8.


Dataguy - I have an air suspension on my Lincoln. I've had zero problems.... the bags and compressor might be somewhat more to service, but the benefits far outweigh the caveats IMHO.

Who was misled? I assume prior to buying you look a long test drive to experience the suspension.....

If Hyundai had shipped the Genesis with a "floater" suspension I would have passed and ended up in a 5 series.
I really feel like the Genesis is the 5 series for big fat americans...(This is a good thing for this big, fat american).....

While I don't drive it like I stole it I do drive it for my enjoyment... that means a random power takeoff and attacking highway on ramps... still the majority of my drive time is with cruise at 80. Ride seems plenty cushy to me..

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I agree with this 100%.. BUT! Hyundai HAD to appease the media with the firmer suspension. You do know where we'd be if it had the proper "soft" suspension. Right? I agree not only because I feel the same way - but the facts are - more people prefer softer suspensions than firmer ones. Reason being, MOST people don't drive their vehicles hard. Reading opinions on forums is lopsided in the other direction because this is where nearly all the "enthusiasts" are. This suspension topic is pretty much considered a dead horse (on forums) with all parties agreeing to it...

I'd have preferred Hyundai tune the suspension more towards comfort... I'd rather them have upset the few that want to drive it like they stole it rather than those who now feel a bit misled. Or, maybe put the softer suspension on the V6 and if you're looking for performance, get the V8.

My OPINION is that the Genesis is not going to get the air suspension any time soon. At least not one that is adjustable. Again, this is just my opinion. If it happens, I'll be happy to be wrong. The reason I feel this way is because it leaves room to offer something "more" on their more expensive offering - the Equus. There's GOT to be a few features on the Equus that the Genesis doesn't have.

Stripping the air suspension was a bad call on the Genesis. Let's hope for the best with the Equus.

Cheers

Thomas

 

[Richard Ft. Lauderdale]

Anyone have any experience with air suspensions on other cars? I've only heard that they are harder and more costly to service than conventional systems.

My BMW (1996 850 Ci) doesn't have an air suspension but it does have an adjustable suspension. The best I can figure is that the suspension is controlled by hydrolic fluid that is also part of the power steering system. Over the years the system has had numerous leaks which have been extremely expensive to fix. One place gave me a one year warranty on the repair of a leak. When I took it back they of course said that it was leaking from a different place and wasn't covered by their warranty.

I have just had someone else rebuild the entire system (extremely, emphasis on "extremely" expensive). Whenever the system leaks I have to get the fluid from BMW at $25.00 per liter. They recently redisigned the can it comes in so it is impossible to add the fluid without spilling it. I guess this is another German wonder thinker at work.

If Hyundai ever brings an air suspension into the US I'd advise getting rid of it one day before the warranty expires.

 

[jwaters943]

I know the reliability of air suspensions has improved, but after having numerous, costly problems w/ 2 air-suspension equipped vehicles I'll take a standard suspension please.

As far as "adjustable" suspensions go, I much prefer the electromagnetic shocks available on the Acura MDX and several GM vehicles. It's cheaper, more reliable (IMO), and it just plain works. It does a great job of providing sound, secure handling while preserving ride quality even over rough/broken pavement.

More info. on the Active Damper system employed by Acura (click on the performance tab, and then the Active Damper System tab):
http://www.acura.com/InteractiveShowRoom.aspx?model=MDX#/performance_damper