Test Drive Hyundai Equus since 2009 Sedan
Korean limousine
Centennial is more than just Hyundai
In the case of its flagship sedannnial, the Korean company demonstrates explicit shy: there is neither a single signboard speaking her accessories to Hyundai. True, after careful searches, it was still possible to find one transparent glass sticker with the inscription Hyundai Security System, and the iron plate under the hood pointing to the manufacturer. Thus, once again emphasizes the fact that the car is dramatically distinguished from the model range and on dimensions, and in terms of the equipment and decoration of the cabin, and in terms of the chassis. In principle, the idea to assign unconventional names with special models not Nova. Recall, for example, Mazda Xedos. Koreans, presented in 1999 by Centennial, decided and not at all to burden his body with the word Hyundai. It is reasonably considering that the image of the manufacturer of inexpensive cars can only damage the sales of limousine. (And turned out to be, most likely, right: take Czech Skoda, experiencing considerable difficulties with the sale of its Superb).
It is worth answering and on the question why test is not a new car away? And for the simple reason that Centennial was just now began to be officially delivered to Russia. That is, it is certified and ensured by a guarantee (5 years or 120,000 km of run) and service (with an interval of a hundred visits every 15,000 km, at the cost of the norm-hour from $ 25 to $ 45). The only thing that I personally has led to confusion is the price of $ 74,900. It is expensive, expensive for the Korean car, even if a representative class. What is special in it? American School
Perhaps I made a mistake. Because, as you should not examine and without having disappeared in the purpose of the set of buttons, I immediately left for the road and pinch pressed the gas pedal. Not bad, damn it! For the machine weighing about two tons, overclocking is very decent. Not even the most powerful engine of a 220-strong V6 volume of 3.5 liters can be easily folded into the slip leading rear wheels. If, of course, disconnect the anti-slip system (aha, that's and the button is there! And next to another, the stabilization system. So, it's time to slow down. Hey, I'm trying to slow down, and not reset the gas! The pedal is already a betrayal half, and this five-meter slant, as if nothing had happened, on the inertia rolling forward. And only at that moment, when I almost took the floor to the floor under the pedal, the car as if I instantly woke up and slowed down and so that I thoroughly nailed my nose. No, this behavior when stopped I definitely dislike. And hardly please the rear passenger on which the limousine is designed.
It would be necessary to go to the description for the rarity of the comfortable cabin, but let me finish with the sensations of the driver. So, it is necessary to get used to the brakes. The car rows very impetuously. And behaves on the road as a typical American car. More precisely, it would be said like Korean, but the driving school of driving school. And, probably, the US market is mainly calculated. Barca is completely easily rotated from side to side, regardless of speed. Some feedback, of course, is, but it is so small that it is very difficult to determine the position of the front wheels. Yes, with the one-way chassis settings. In fact, the manufacturer stated that the suspension can adapt to different road conditions and speed, that is, equipped with an adaptive mechanism. Perhaps, but I didn't feel it, or in automatic mode, it makes it very slowly. In direct areas of the track, if you support 100-120 km / h, Centennial is comfortable and still predictable, however, at a higher speed, the machine begins to annoy a light vertical star. About turns and talking not worth the sedan, she is having asphalt such bows that you are afraid to hook the threshold about the road. Rearrum, that is, a detour suddenly emerged obstacle a separate song. It seems that the steering wheel turns the front wheels, but not the car itself. For all signs, the model reminded me of the classic road ship of the old formation, the main signs of which there were always a powerful engine, an empty steering wheel and perina instead of suspension. 
Honestly, I did not really believe my feelings. Well, it can not behave like a modern car! Even four years old. Therefore, I decided to stop and bring thoughts in order. So, once the suspension is called adaptive, then according to the logic of things of its presets, it can be changed manually so, at least today is accepted. Yeah, but the button I found ECS SPT is called. Suppose that the second abbreviation is decrypted as Sport. I click on her in the middle of the dashboard lights up with similar letters. Moreover, it is located in the most noticeable zone where the signaling of the active safety systems is usually placed. Maybe I was mistaken with the interpretation? Okay, I will try. It turned out that I was right. In sport mode, the car gathered, began to switch the transmissions sharply, less cub. The steering wheel remained almost the same, but CENTENNIAL has become an adequately managed car. Yes, it is still useful at the beginning with the buttons to figure it out ... In traditions of the genre
Finally, we will move to the salon, around which the car was built. Here it is necessary to pay tribute to Korean designers the internal space is decorated with taste. Say, the dashboard has the SuperVision function. It is worth starting the motor like a black hole suddenly turns into the scales and arrows, shutting up white and blue. It is noteworthy: all auxiliary light bulbs and inscriptions are lit in the second plan, giving the entire volume combination. Pretty stylish solution, it should be noted. For the convenience of landing and driver, and the passengers claim cannot be any. Intimately soft chairs have a very good profile that will definitely not bother the jacket. Almost all adjustments, including the position of the ram, are equipped with electric drives. Up to the intra-alone rearview mirror! This, honestly, I have not had to meet. Rear sofa and provides royal comfort. Hyundai specialists showed touching passenger care, providing their own ceiling ceiling on their services, a comfortable armrest, which hidden the heating buttons of seats, cup holders and a very spacious niche. I did not even forgot about the adjustment keys of the position of the front right seats placed on the sidewall of its backs. In the rear doors are hidden curtains that can be isolated compartment from the outside world. All in the best traditions of the genre, do not say anything.
Bribes the car and the arsenal of security tools. Already in the basic version, the salon is stupid by eight inflatable pillows (two on the driver and every passenger), which can be supplemented with curtains in the ceiling, protecting their heads from glass fragments and shocks with a side collision. Such, it would have been affected by both the little things, like powerful xenon headlamps and heated glasswater nozzles. It is quite natural that the car of this class in the standard suggests separate climate control with a special anti-allergenic filter, and a tape recorder with a CD changer. It looks quite rich, has a lot of all sorts of frequency and sound field presets. That's just sounds, for my taste, like a Korean music center. That is, you can still put the music.
New image Hyundai.
Under the end of my acquaintance with Centennial, it became completely clear to me why this Korean car is shy to kinship with Hyundai. He is undoubtedly completely different, and certainly more luxurious than any other model of the company. Yes, and externally, this classic style is emphasized, a slightly square, saved to the present, perhaps only in Rolls-Royce limousines. But with all the originality of Centennial, it will probably be difficult to compete with the recognized Mercedes S-Class, the BMW seventh series, Audi A8, VW Phaeton. On the other hand, in a certain sense, the relevant four years ago shyness is now already kind and not to the place. The Hyundai brand has recently been actively developing and radically changes the image (take at least a compact getz: its handling is almost perfect). So the appearance in the model range of a representative sedan he would definitely prevent him.
Sergey Ilyinsky
