Test Drive Hyundai Equus since 2009 Sedan

Hyundai Equus. Black knight starts chase

Ho-Ro-Sha! I exhaled in the frosty air the refill, wrapped in a thick jacket, a scarf and a ruin. Is that new lexus?

A great sedan really looked great. Only it was not lexus. This luxury model, which can be configured in the role of personal staff for the Bank's director, is made by Hyundai.

Executive Equus debuted in March 2009 and became not only a flagship, but also the new brand of the Korean firm. In some markets, the car is sold without satellites Hyundai, and there is a reson. After all, the company from Seoul made himself a name and cashier on the release of cheap cars, so the appearance in the global market of a luxury luxury-sedan step is quite unexpected. Although the experience in creating representative models in Koreans is available. Back in 1999, Hyundai presented a five-meter sedannnial sedan: absolutely unprecedented outwardly, but spacious, smooth on the go and attention to the front-wheel drive! True, Centennial was a local car sold mainly only in Korea itself.

New Equus is an order of magnitude more ambitious project. Koreans immediately stated their intention to bring the representative model to all key markets, including the United States, Europe and Russia. Very boldly, because still on the protected territory of German premiums, in addition to Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, only Japanese Lexus grazed and not quite now English Jaguar. Is Hyundai Doros up to their level?

Externally, as we have already noticed, the new Equus is a very respectable car. And, looking at the car, it is absolutely impossible to guess that in front of you the Hyundai brand is more likely, associations with an okuvening LEXUS LS are born. Even the emblem of the car has its own. On the hood, as if on the podium, the elegant winged figure is banging, slightly resembling the Rolls-Roisov spirit of ecstasy. The elegant badge of the Korean flagship depicts the winten horse, Pegasus, if you want. It is logical, because translated from the Latin word Equus (in Russian transcription sounds like EKUC) just means the horse, the horse. Consider, by the way: the name of the largest and most prestigious Hyundai is an abbreviation from the words Excellent, Quality, Unique, Universal, Supreme. So, therefore, it is excellent, high-quality, unique, worldwide, superb ... Obviously, nobody rises in the Seoul headquarters of Hyundai.

However, in the cabin you understand that the Koreans have reasons for pride. The interior is great. The skin of the finest dressing, only a natural tree in the finish, soft porous plastic and, of course, the electric drives are all possible. The elegant shooting clock on the center console and the expensive music from the brand Lexicon, this American company, by the way, is voiced by the Rolls Royce Phantom salon.

Thanks to more than a three-meter wheelbase on the second row, the stock for knees is simply phenomenal. In addition, the built-in massager, the remote control of the climate and the music center and even the helpful support of the support, so that your monarch mercy in the long road could stretch the legs and relax to relax. It is a pity that a rare even for a executive class of the bed is not suitable for everyone. Apparently, Koreans simply forgot that people in Europe can live in more than 1.8 m. Also, the disadvantages of the inner world include the absence of a built-in Russified navigation, and the board-computer does not understand the Great and Mighty. Both, however, the things corrected in Hyundai in the near future promise to correct. In general, the interior of the sedan was performed on the reference level, worthy of famous competitors. Moreover, according to the voluntaryness of the Equus finishing, it is probably ahead of both the bmw seven, and Jaguar XJ. That's so.

Having settled in a luxurious back chair and gladly chasing the electrome massager in different modes, I absolutely do not want to leave the place based on the place. And it is not necessary! Let the colleague try himself as a driver's role, I like the VIP-passenger's role and role. After all, Equus, as it turned out, has another talent to do any, even a short, ride memorable. Let's say, the car rides the same way as far distance train departhes from the platform smoothly and silently. Very impressive. And if you press the window of the window, it immediately becomes clear why the Equus dual glass is insulating the interior from outside sounds. A superbly configured 6-speed automatic transmission so smoothly moves the transfer that the switches of switching cannot be traced, except for the tachometer.

In general, the EQUUS suspension scheme is not quite common independent, pneumatic, five-point front and rear. The creators assure that it is better primarily for sustainability on a high-speed highway and for controllability in rapid turns. Well, and in fact, at high speed, the car literally licks to the asphalt, conquering reliable and predictable character. Moreover, even in dashing devices, a huge sedan does not seem clumsy and roll. The steering wheel, of course, does not get a clearer reactive effort characteristic of sports sedans, but in general on Equus it is quite possible to burn turns. Who would have thought!

Several bonds of turns on a long time shot near Volokolamsk and the driver's place I already like almost the same as the VIP sofa. Say, the engine is unconditionally good! 4,6-liter V-shaped eight with a capacity of 373 hp It works almost silently and informs the car with a curb weight in two tons of impressive acceleration. There will be no extra parallels here with a simple train, but with the legendary French TGV or at a thin end with the Sapsan.

But then whether there will be! Already in 2011, Koreans promise to submit an updated version of Equus with an even more powerful 5-liter engine and another transmission. Maybe by that time the car will get the built-in navigation at the same time with Russification? I want to believe.

Another thing is that the main disadvantage of the car deficiency will be able to eradicate not yet soon. In Hyundai, they know this perfectly, so let's say, in the States they are suitable for the problem of promotion Equus comprehensively.

For the beginning of the Hyundai luxury class on the side of the Atlantic is significantly cheaper than all competitors. Let's say, the most affordable Lexus LS is more expensive than a large Korean $ 7,380, and BMW 7 Series $ 17 450. Compared to A8 American buyers Equus will save $ 20,000, and abandoning S-class all $ 33,000! But that is not all. How do you like the Korean flagship manual loaded on the iPad, which is included in the basic equipment (!) Machines intended for the US market? Or what do you say about the new service level, in which the owner will not need to visit the dealership? When the time of the next one comes, the representative of the official Hyundai dealer will arrive at Equus and the Pegasus will call the service, leaving another car on the substitution. Fantastic!

We about this remained only to dream. Yes, and the difference in the price list between Equus and its competitors in the Russian market is not so distinct as in the states. After all, at a price of 3,300,000 rubles. For the only one, however, the most sophisticated Hyundai equipment is more expensive (!) Simplest 7th series per 100,000 rubles. And we can become the owner of the Mercedes-Benz S-class, by surcharge to the price of the Korean flagship only 300 thousand. Although if you calculate the price of rivals with similar over volume and power with 8-cylinder engines, then the savings will be much more than solid.

 




Competitors
Audi A8.
Price from 3 758 500 rub.
The third AUDI A8 generation debuted in our market in 2010. In the Russian market, AUDI A8 is presented with the following engines: 4.2-liter FSI with a capacity of 371 hp, 3-liter TFSI with a capacity of 290 hp and 3.0-liter diesel (250 hp). Basic price includes a compilation four-wheel drive Quattro, a complete set of means of active and passive safety and even the recovery system of kinetic energy. Well, of course, the skin, biksenon, navigation and so on ... The most affordable eight is equipped with a diesel engine, but the car with a 4.2-liter motor costs 4,512,700 rubles.
Guarantee two years without a mileage limit.
Country of manufacture Germany

BMW 7-Series
Price from 3 200 000 rub.
Oddly enough, but the BMW seven is the best among elite segment models F. The basic version of the sedan with a 3-liter 258-strong motor is even less than Hyundai Equus. However, comparable to the Korean flagship for both equipment and dynamics of 740i is already more expensive from 4,000,000 rubles. (Long version is still plus 200 000 rub.). In addition, in our market, the seven is offered with a hybrid power unit ActiveHybrid (from 5,100,000 rubles). The total power of its engines is 450 hp, overclocking up to hundreds takes only 4.9 s, and the average fuel consumption per 100 km is only 9.4 liters.
Guarantee two years without a mileage limit.
Country of manufacture Germany

Jaguar XJ.
Price from 3 655 000 rub.
The new generation of aristocratic British sedan debuted last year. The largest of the Jaguar family is distinguished by a very original design, both outside and inside. True, even a basic, although a very well-equipped version with a 3-liter turbodiesel is more expensive than the BMW of the 7th series. Well, X-Jay with a 5-liter V-shaped eight capacity of 385 hp It pulls at 4 455,000 rubles. Even more expensive XJ with compressor engines - from 5,750,000 rubles.
Warranty for three years without a mileage limit.
Country of manufacture in United Kingdom

Lexus Ls.
Price from 4 061 000 rub.
The flagship Lexus is offered only with two power units, but there are no weak among them by definition. The base implies a magnificent V-shaped 4,3-liter eight with a capacity of 380 hp, and a fairly high price justifies the equipment in which there is all you wish: from door closers up to 10 airbags. The Hybrid LS600H hybrid (5,895,000 rubles) with the total power of the power plant in 440 hp and full drive. By the way, the AWD transmission can be installed on a gasoline variant of the sedan.
Warranty for three years without a mileage limit.
Country manufacturer Japan

Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Price from 3,600,000 rubles.
Despite high prices, the S-class remains the most popular luxury sedan in Russia. In fact, even in S350 there is everything you need, including a powerful 272-strong engine, which easily disperses a 2.5-ton sedan to one hundred in 7.2 seconds. Yes, and the level of equipping the envy of many: in the standard and branded security system Pre-Safe, and the latest generation of Comand APS interface, and airmatic pneumatic suspension, and much more. Still, buyers prefer to pay extra, especially since the choice is great. All-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz costs from 3,800,000 rubles., For 4.6 million, you can take the hybrid S400. Comparable for the price and capacity with Equus S500 pulls 4,600,000 rubles. (Lenaded model for another 200,000 rubles. more expensive). But this is not the limit. If there is money, it is possible to swall ash even on a powerful (612 hp) s 65 AMG 11 990 000 rub.
Guarantee two years without a mileage limit.
Country of manufacture Germany

Dmitry Volodin

A source: AUTO.Mail.Ru.