Hyundai Equus

}} In 1999, Hyundai Motors and Mitsubishi Motors presented their full-size sedan. Hyundai said that it was making a full-size sedan to compete with Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series in the Korean market. In reality, it was competing against its domestic rival, the SsangYong Chairman. Hyundai had great success with the Equus in Korea, but very few were exported to other countries. One was exported for the 2001 New York International Auto Show to gauge the reaction of U.S. consumers. Hyundai identified the car to the U.S. consumers as the Hyundai LZ450 luxury sedan but it was not sold in the United States. The first generation was designed by Mitsubishi Motors, who had their own version called the Proudia. It was jointly manufactured by both companies. The first-generation model was introduced in 1999 as a front-wheel-drive car measuring long and wide. A long-wheelbase limousine model was available exclusively for the Korean domestic market, and at ₩92,510,000 South Korean won for the 2008 model with a V8 and no options, was the most expensive model in the company's lineup. The first-generation Equus extended-length limousine was also mechanically related to the Mitsubishi Dignity limousine for the Japanese market. The first-generation Equus were sold in South Korea, China, and the Middle East. A very limited number, badged as the Centennial, were made available for some western European markets in the early and mid-2000s. At first, there were two engine types: a 3.5 Sigma V6 and 4.5 8A80 (Omega) V8 engine. After a few months, the 3.0 Sigma V6 engine type was added. Two versions were available: a sedan (3.0, 3.5 and 4.5) and a limousine (3.5 and 4.5). In Japan, under the name of Mitsubishi Dignity (limousine version) and Mitsubishi Proudia (sedan version), about 2,000 units were sold. Specifically, the 4.5 8A80 (Omega) V8 engine was a GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) type engine, which was designed and developed by Mitsubishi Motors. This engine was optimized for premium unleaded gasoline fuel, but there was little opportunity to get this type of fuel in Korea at that time. So, most of these engines used normal unleaded gasoline fuel and then had significant performance issues, resulting in complaints from drivers. Finally, Hyundai Motors modified this engine from a GDI Type to a MPI (Multi Point Injection) type to solve the issue. It added curtain airbags in 2001 and active head restraints in 2002. New Equus In 2003, Hyundai presented their 'New Equus', changing the hood design and some of interior. A 7-inch screen for the rear seat, Xenon headlamps, front parking sensors, etc. were newly offered. It introduced seat ventilation cooling and heating, climate control with air purifier (2003), Alcantara leather seats (2007). From 2005, 3.0 and 3.5 Sigma V6 engine types were changed to 3.3 and 3.8 Lambda V6 engine types which were designed and developed by Hyundai Motors. But the automatic transmission was not changed. Hyundai officially ceased the production of 1st generation Equus in November 2009. A new bigger, rear-wheel drive Equus was launched in March 2009. Instead of continuing production like Hyundai, Mitsubishi Motors ended the production of the Proudia and the Dignity around the time of the introduction of this model. Limousine model A limousine model was made for the Korean market. Equus Limousines have been used by famous company owners in Korea as well as foreign VIPs. == Second generation (VI; 2009)==

}} }} Initial version The second generation Equus, codename "VI", was unveiled at the Grand Hyatt Seoul. Unlike the old Equus, the VI has a rear-wheel drive architecture, a longer wheelbase, and a different engine. The US model was announced in 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and was unveiled in 2010 New York Auto Show. Early US model includes the same 4.6L V8 engine as the Genesis except with more than the current version. This puts the total engine output at with . The North American Equus features a badge attached on the hood as opposed to the hood ornament, the grille features a horizontal grid pattern like its Genesis sibling as opposed to the vertical one on international models, and an included iPad device with an Equus user's guide application pre-installed as opposed to a traditional owner's manual. It was the first Hyundai with an Electronically controlled Air Suspension (EAS) and Continuous Damping Control (CDC). It was also the first Hyundai with Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) collision avoidance system that manages electronic stability control, the electronic parking brake, radar smart cruise control and the seatbelt tensioning system for optimal safety. Equus Limousine The long-wheelbase version Equus was unveiled in September 2009. It is longer than the sedan version. Engine choices include Lambda 3.8L and Tau 5.0L engines. The limousine model has an exclusive horizontal cross-bar radiator grille, as well as features such as a power-driven footrest, rear-seat leg support and a massage system. Hyundai also developed an armoured vehicle based on the limousine, with an enlarged 5.5L version of the V8 engine. In September 2009, Hyundai delivered three bulletproof limousine versions of the luxury sedan Equus to the South Korea Presidential Security Service to be used as the official state car. Hyundai designed this vehicle with a special alloy, with an automatic cooling system in case of fire as well as bulletproof windows. The first-built armoured limousine was donated to Blue House. A modified Hyundai Equus was donated to Costa Rica and is currently used as the presidential car. The limousine was available only in South Korea and Russia. The Russian version had the same price tag as the South Korean version. Powertrain update (2011) Hyundai introduced 3.8 L and 5.0 L GDi engines to replace the existing 3.8 L, 4.6 L and 5.0L MPi engines with a new 8-speed automatic transmission replacing the older 6-speed transmission on all applications. For North America, the updated Equus debuted as a 2012 model year with the 5.0L V8 engine rated and . The engine updates carried over to the facelifted Hyundai Genesis as well. US models went on sale in 2013 as 2014 model year vehicles. The Tau 5.0 GDi engine is the only engine offered in the US. In 2013, a shipment of 61 2014 Hyundai Equus sedans carried by South Korean freighter Morning Spruce destined for the United States was adrift for days after the ship had lost engine power in Pacific Ocean. On 11 March 2014, an Equus sedan was used in the Chilean inauguration ceremony. Body style US, Canadian models include only sedan (VS500). South Korean models include sedan (VS380, VS460, VS500) and limousine (VL380, VL500). Powertrain South Korean models include Lambda 3.8 MPi, Lambda II 3.8 GDi, Tau 4.6 MPi (366PS), Tau 5.0 MPi engines and the Tau 5.0 GDi (416PS) and (430PS) engines. US models include only the Tau 4.6 MPi (390PS) for the 2011 mode year with the Tau 5.0 GDi (435PS) installed from 2012 model year forward. Customized versions RMR Signature Edition Equus (2010) The RMR Signature Edition Equus is a concept vehicle customized by Rhys Millen Racing, based on an Equus with the 4.6 Tau engine. It included a bolt-on RMR Signature Edition air intake and stainless exhaust, increased engine power by 30 hp, RMR Signature Edition embroidered headrests and floor mats, and ostrich hide leather seats with suede accents. The vehicle was unveiled in the 2010 SEMA Show. DUB Edition Hyundai Equus (2010) The DUB Edition Equus is based on the 2011 Equus sedan and built by Mummbles Marketing and DUB Magazine. It included Trex DUB Design mesh grille, DUB Design custom body kit, tinted windows and tail lights, a custom two-tone gloss black-and-matte charcoal body colour, DUB Edition custom suspension, 24-inch TIS modular style 10 wheels with Pirelli Pzero Nero Tires, custom trunk enclosure with Infinity Kappa audio (9 Infinity Kappa Series speakers, KAPPA ONE mono and KAPPA FOUR four-channel amplifiers), DUB Design custom leather and suede upholstery, DUB Design illuminated headliner and custom rear bucket seats. The vehicle was unveiled in the 2010 SEMA Show. Armoured Limousine (2012) On 17 December 2012, an armoured Equus Limousine was delivered to Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Ban Ki-moon at the UN Headquarters in New York, U.S. Equus by Hermes (2013) A limited (3 units) version of 2013 Hyundai Equus limousine was built in collaboration with French fashion label Hermès. The vehicle was unveiled in the 2013 Seoul Motor Show. ==References==