V8 RWD Hyundai luxury sedan coming into US

Dauphin · 27-12-2006, 10:22 AM

It is the Hyundai Equus (yes, I spelt it right, hehe). Has anyone else seen this? Been around for a while and I've seen it in the World Car Guide every year but it's finally coming into the US in 2008 and who knows where else in the future.

Would you ever consider one if it came here and the power was impressive, the price was right with value / equipment, it sounded good and looked nice?

Some pics from http://news.windingroad.com/?p=769:

Regards,

Andrew.

**Polyal** · 27-12-2006, 10:41 AM

Nah I wouldn't get one, but Hyundai is certainly changing their image.

Their current line up are actually pretty good looking things, and there good value to boot. Its their durability that Im still suss about.

The new Tibrion (sp?) is meant to be RWD aswell.

SPK-250 · 27-12-2006, 10:44 AM

It's powered by a Mitsubishi V8. Same as what comes in Mitsi 4X4's in America.

Yellow_Festiva · 27-12-2006, 11:01 AM

The Current Equus is a HUGE car, i have been to Korea 2 times this year, and ill be leaving again for korea tomorrow morning from singapore.

The Equus is very boxy, and i have only ever seen them in Black and a Metallic parly colour. They are the korean Caprice i guess, and even have a stretch version that has about 10 inches of body between the doors to extend the wheel base.

I sent an email to drive with tons of pics after backpacking for 8 months in many countries. I got to see many cars on the road before they were released here. some of my pics have appeared in the drive.com.au blog section, and i even sent the pics of the Equus. Kia also has a luxary car, called the Opirus, that looks like an older style Jag, ie twin round head lights and curved bonnet.

Its also interesting to note that the Equus and Opirus are sub-brands, ie they are not "Hyundai Equus" or "Kia Opirus" they are just called Equus 350 or 450 for the 3.5 or 4.5 l engines.

bit like Lexus for Toyota and Eunos for Mazda..... ill try and look up the pics for the current korean cars... the opirus is a good looker in my opinion however the Equus is more suited to the American Market.... and wont do well here.

Jason

CAMS290 · 27-12-2006, 11:07 AM

Hyundai have come leaps and bounds since they launched their less than impressive line up here in the mid to late 80's.

They certainly have some well built good looking cars, but imo they need some engineering input to sort their suspension calibration out, when you consider that our roads are rather unique.

Keep an eye on Hyundai, as i for one would consider one of their vehicles if i was in the market for a particular size car.

I quite like tha Santa Fe, a mate of mine has one with the Turbo Diesel and he says it is a better thing than his 2002 Patrol 3.0TD, that he had.

**Polyal** · 27-12-2006, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAMS290

I quite like tha Santa Fe, a mate of mine has one with the Turbo Diesel and he says it is a better thing than his 2002 Patrol 3.0TD, that he had.

Cant believe Im saying this, but the Santa Fe is a better looking car than a Territory. The terry kills it everywhere else though.

Lagom · 27-12-2006, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Their current line up are actually pretty good looking things, and there good value to boot. Its their durability that Im still suss about.

Mind you, they seem to be blitzing the various quality studies.

Yellow_Festiva · 27-12-2006, 11:40 AM

The current model Equus, and the current model Opirus (made by Kia)

Dauphin · 27-12-2006, 11:49 AM

I parked next to a Ssangyong Chairman once, they are very similar to the Opirius in shape. Something about it was just plain "bland" (next to my Fairlane) but the interior was pretty classy.

The Equus looks like a Korean BMW 5-series to me but I'm sure it'll have its own character once unveiled.

**Polyal** · 27-12-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dauphin

I parked next to a Ssangyong Chairman once, they are very similar to the Opirius in shape. Something about it was just plain "bland" (next to my Fairlane) but the interior was pretty classy.

I don't know how that company is still in business, they are the ugliest cars in the world!

Dauphin · 27-12-2006, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

I don't know how that company is still in business, they are the ugliest cars in the world!

I've only ever seen one in real life. I don't think they have sold many but I thought I'd check eBay and to my surprise I discovered one!

link

**Polyal** · 27-12-2006, 12:07 PM

Yeah Ive only ever seen one, I took pics of it from a distance as I thought it was some kind of development mule, got closer and started laughing.

Bossxr8 · 27-12-2006, 01:04 PM

Until they figure out how to tune suspension and steering properly and stop using crappy cheap Korean tyres they will be nothing short of mediocre. No point being good value for money when they drive like crap.

Homer1 · 27-12-2006, 04:02 PM

I've just been on a short holiday in Korea. I've also noticed Samsung badged cars (been in a few Samsung taxis), althiugh they are obviously recycled Nissans.

bob 351 · 27-12-2006, 04:14 PM

who cares it's not the blue oval

charles_wif_xf · 27-12-2006, 04:35 PM

I don't see us Ossies lining up to buy the Hyundai Horse.

BlueRaven · 27-12-2006, 04:53 PM

Yeah, so far I haven't seen many Hyundais that are styled for a 'westen' market. Hyundai Coupe is an example of a car that is ugly as sin from my viewpoint, but it has a style Asian countries might dig.

But my opinion on cars isn't really up to date. I prefer things before 1993....and lets just skip the 80's altogether.

Oh and two thumbs up for a rwd v8 though. Build a local car from that platform, give it a swish name and it can play amongst the locals over here..

Something like... Hyundai Dominator. I domin8 j00!!11

FalconXR6 · 27-12-2006, 06:28 PM

It could give Hyndai a base to work from to enter V8 Supercars...

Imagine that. Hyndai in V8 Supercars...would be interesting...

Dezza · 27-12-2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Cant believe Im saying this, but the Santa Fe is a better looking car than a Territory. The terry kills it everywhere else though.

I can't say I agree with you. The ultra-rounded lines of the Santa Fe don't impress me, and while the new one looks better, it still isn't brilliant. On the other hand, the Territory has sharper lines that have a bit of aggressiveness to them.

As for the new Hyundai sedan, I'd never buy it. I much prefer Aussie sedans

LUXO_8 · 27-12-2006, 06:36 PM

depends how it looks without the cammo..........but it doesnt look too bad there!

**Polyal** · 27-12-2006, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ea_silver_ghia

I can't say I agree with you. The ultra-rounded lines of the Santa Fe don't impress me, and while the new one looks better, it still isn't brilliant. On the other hand, the Territory has sharper lines that have a bit of aggressiveness to them.

As for the new Hyundai sedan, I'd never buy it. I much prefer Aussie sedans

Just so we are clear, im talking about this one...

Paxton · 27-12-2006, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FalconXR6

It could give Hyndai a base to work from to enter V8 Supercars...

Imagine that. Hyndai in V8 Supercars...would be interesting...

AFAIK, V8 Supercars have to be Aussie Built. I can't see any companies lining up to build cars here, so that won't ever happen.

On topic, I still wouldn't like a Korean car. They still remind me of the Excels, which was a POS, and if it didn't rattle apart, it rusted. I am happy with my Australian and Japanese cars at the moment.

Can Hyundai (which is pronounced Hundi in the USA) produce a car that has a quality feel, and that doesn't look like its styled like its only for its home market. On the coupe, my Neighbour has one, and since owning it, she has lost her license three times. Makes you wonder if she really likes owning it.

GK · 27-12-2006, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Just so we are clear, im talking about this one...

Borrowed styling cues from Rav 4 and Mazda 3 I reckon!

GK

Kenaz · 27-12-2006, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GK

Borrowed styling cues from Rav 4 and Mazda 3 I reckon!

GK

Yeah for sure. Doesn't look too bad though.

SpoolMan · 28-12-2006, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dauphin

Some pics from http://news.windingroad.com/?p=769:

.

From what I can see it doesn't appear to look any worse than the the new Commodore Omega..

MethodX · 29-12-2006, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dauphin

I've only ever seen one in real life. I don't think they have sold many but I thought I'd check eBay and to my surprise I discovered one!

link

I think the older model looks better, more Mercedes like.
With some AMG wheels and lowered would look semi decent.

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/D...23/sych600.htm

Jayden · 29-12-2006, 02:27 AM

I saw a great looking car the other day.....what was it called? a FALCON!!!

Dauphin · 29-12-2006, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MethodX

I think the older model looks better, more Mercedes like.
With some AMG wheels and lowered would look semi decent.

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/D...23/sych600.htm

Interesting, looks like a Lexus-Mercedes hybrid.

Poetic Justice · 29-12-2006, 04:26 PM

That Santa-Fe looks to be a re-worked Rav4...

Is that true?

Homer1 · 29-12-2006, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paxton

Can Hyundai (which is pronounced Hundi in the USA) produce a car that has a quality feel, and that doesn't look like its styled like its only for its home market. On the coupe, my Neighbour has one, and since owning it, she has lost her license three times. Makes you wonder if she really likes owning it.

From what Ive heard from my Korean mates, its pronounced that way in Korean.