Spies Catch The First Hyundai Equus Tester In SoCal

Wow, incredible! How did you ever manage to catch such a stunning photo while manuevering your ultimate driving machine at break neck speeds of...0 MPH??!!! Awwww.

— Reason (View Profile)

Posted on 5/8/2009 11:31:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

From the back it looks part Acura RL part LS460.

I like the heads up display from the BMW in the foreground ;)

— adamsaf723 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/8/2009 11:41:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

Everyone on AutoSpies.com is SPECIAL!

001

— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/8/2009 11:56:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

maxima taillights, lexus LS exhaust, knock-off spirit of ecstasy emblem and $75k??? FTL!!

— schnell330i (View Profile)

Posted on 5/9/2009 12:30:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

Why didn't the brainless wonders at Hyundai call it the LS460 instead of the VS460?

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/9/2009 12:43:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

If this were a Hyundai, Hyundai would be more than proud to stick a Hyundai logo on the back of their new Hyundai car. Since I don't see Hyundai anywhere, I must assume either its not a Hyundai, Hyundai wants to trick people (mainly Koreans) into thinking its a German or Japanese car or Hyundai is too embarassed to put their name on the car, period.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/9/2009 1:11:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -6   

Toyota Corolla in Japan hasn't got a different badge. Only Crown and Mark X sedans have their own badge. Maybe one or two more but upmarket sedans not Corolla and Yaris type. Also Toyota's got many brands like Delta, Dhaitsu...etc so it's confusing sometimes. Toyota Echo/Yaris Sedan are badged as Delta Belta. Echo/Yaris Hatch is called Toyota Vitz. Same way Corolla is under Toyota badge but Corolla Station got Delta badge and it continues.

So it's clear now that U.S Specification Equus(and most probably the ones they'll be sending in Middle East) will not have any clearly visible Hyundai badges. Why not introduce a luxury brand and put genesis and Equus under it. Seems like Hyundai too is admitting a need for a new luxury brand by not putting there badges on luxury cars but not doing it.
At least here in Middle East, a luxury car with Hyundai badge is not going to get noticed, the regular Luxury buyers don't go to Hyundai but if there is a new brand maybe they'll check it out.

and the rear looks so much like LS460. From a distance at night many will confuse it for LS460.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 5/9/2009 5:58:25 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

They should team up with Byd motors (of China), they are great at copying everyone else!!

— M_Motorsport (View Profile)

Posted on 5/9/2009 7:12:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

BOOO!!!!

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/10/2009 12:32:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The 1st generation Equus was a nice car, I have rode in them many times when I was in S. Korea. This is years beyond that car in every way possible. The price will be a little hard to swallow for a lot of people, and a seperate brand will be needed to get it to go over.

Genesis Sedan
Equus
Genesis Coupe (Albeit they would have to pull a Nissan/Infiniti type play to make it go over) swith the Hyundai to the Tiburon nameplate for this to go over imo

— 1fstmach (View Profile)

Posted on 5/9/2009 8:50:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

what justice does that do for you, as a person?

— blaniac22 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/9/2009 1:07:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

hahaa so i bet theres alot of s*** in mercedes and BMWs. aha

— blaniac22 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/9/2009 2:42:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Somebody seriously needs to stop spreading the false rumors that this car will cost $75k.. It'll start at around $50k tops...

Sal Collaziano
http://www.genesisowners.com

— Collaziano (View Profile)

Posted on 5/9/2009 1:28:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Remember when VW tried to sell the 75k Phantom (sp)? And remember there were so many on the lots, that it look lie they were spawning? Well, this is the Korean version Part Deux, except not as nice looking.

And It looks like a knock off of so many cars, it should be called the Equus Knockoff VS460.

— Inline6 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/9/2009 3:42:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

I shot this picture. With all credit due, it looked great in person. Yes it is a hybrid of several different luxury cars homogenized together (but what car doesn't have design elements of others). It was very quick and quite. It thrusted off the line very quick and I was behind it in a E60 M5.

Would I pay $75k for it? No, but 50k maybe. In 5 to 10 years, I think Hyundai can command $75k for a similar high end car as Lexus has been able to.

Slow progressive up stream climbing is needed without too much shock in the marketplace ala VW Phaeton. I think it's very smart marketing not to put a big Hyundai logo on this car and the Genesis i.e. again VW Phaeton.

I think the Phaeton would have done really well if it didn't have the obnoxious VW emblem on the grill.

— fitbodylife (View Profile)

Posted on 5/9/2009 3:56:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Onetime,
Looks like the Toyota Corolla Axio has a Toyota badge on the back to me.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/2006_Toyota_Corolla-Axio_03.jpg
Doesn't matter though, its clear Hyundai is embarassed to put their name on the car outside of Korea. The Equus has non-Hyundai badging front and back, your JDM badging is strictly front. The old Altezza had the 'T' on the back, not some "we're not Japan/Korea" badge.

As for the Genesis, you have to notice the 'H' on the wheels or back to see its either a Honda or a Hyundai. From the front, you'd think it was something else. They even write 'Genesis' on the floor when you open the door instead of 'Hyundai'.

For the price Hyundai thinks it can get for the Equus, they'll find it hard to sell it to someone unless they already have 3 cars and only because it'll be 1 of only 100 available initially.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/9/2009 4:01:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

Umm Leisure, BMWs, Audis, and Mercedes have to go up in price so Lexus, Acura, and Cadillac can go up; so that Hyundai can become a Near Luxury Make to compete with the Lincolns, Buicks, Mercurys, Volvos and SAABs of the world. Plus, Infinti has to improve build quality to enter the Lexus Level.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/10/2009 12:25:27 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

The New Hyundais will tempt some Infiniti buyers, since Hyundai is more reliable than Infinti. The Gen Coupe will get a Supercharged V6 from Rhys Millen Racing (Hyundais defacto aftermarket tuner) in late 2010 early 2011. The Hyundai Supercharged V6 is spec'ed for 480HP-510 HP.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/10/2009 12:29:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

The Tiburon will be an eco sport coupe like the CRX/Z, but with premium near lux fit and finish. 1fstmach

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/10/2009 12:37:21 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

By the way Sal, the Gen Sedan will get a Supercharged V8 down the line also.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/10/2009 12:43:57 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

HyundaiSmoke again, smoking tailpipes again, I see? If The Gen Coupe gets a Supercharger that boosts hp to 480-510 HP, will that come from the factory standard, or is that aftermarket part that they will be selling from the dealer? And if so, do you think people would even buy it? How much will it cost to add that. Being that people buy Hyundais tend to be frugal, regardless of the target audience. And then there is the reliability issues as well. SC engines tend to have heat issues. And hadding that much HP to a bargain basement sports coupe, may spell trouble Remember BMW has switched to turbos beecause they tend to be more fule efficient that SC's, because SC's saps power-it takes power to make power with a SC.


And then there is the market, the economy that Hyundai has to account for.

I tehink you like to read what Hyundai may have planned, not what really is planned.

— Inline6 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/10/2009 10:44:01 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Inline they are testing them though.


Go to most Tibby fourms, and the 2 main complaints= I wish we had more MPG, or I wish we had more power. 1fstmach.

1. They solved the power problem with the Gen Coupe.

2. They will solve the MPG problem with the Next Gen Tibby.

3. The base Gen Coupe has a higher MPG and more Horse than the Tibby already. Plus, its not that much a cost difference between a top of the line Tibby, and a base Gen Coupe, since the Base Gen COupe is cheaper than the Top of the Line Tibby. The Fit and Finish from one to the other is night and day, espcially since Hyundai is virtually using a 7 year old design on the Tibby. Top of the Line Tibby w. Leather =$22,770. Base Gen Coupe=$22,000.

4. The Tibby was where you used to see future Hyundai Interior design first. 7 years later, and all of the lower priced Hyundais have had Tibby interiors for the last 4 years now.

5. I think the Gen coupe is the new Hyundai Techonology platform, to spread to the lower priced cars. Its to help bring the Lower Priced cars up to a Near Lux Image.

6. The Tibby was getting way too expensive for its target Audience, and lacked the features and fuel efficiency of cheaper rivals. The Veloster will be made to not only solve that problem, but be the leader in the pack= Lower cost, more mpg, and more space. Some people actually have rumors that the Veloster will be a 3 door version of the Next Gen Accent. It would make sense in a cost point of view, and a company mission point of view: as Hyundai wants to be a Premium Eco Brand. Though, I highly doubt they will do it. The cheapest Tibby is $17,800, the Cheapest Base Veloster will be close to a $12,500 price point. However, the Veloster will have a Nicer top of the Line model than the Tibby has today, but for $2,000 cheaper at about the $20,000 price point.



Its either change or die 1fstmach, and Hyundai chose to change. Every Hyundai model for now on, will have a dirt cheap miser version, and a Near Lux Version.

Though, you should be able to tell the differences in the future between the $12,000 Accent, and the $20,000 one.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/10/2009 4:37:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

You like getting a rise out of people, don't you?

— mggray (View Profile)

Posted on 5/15/2009 11:47:37 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

By the way 1fstmach, the KIA Kee' will be the direct evolutionary replacement for the current Tiburon. Performance, MPG, etc...

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/10/2009 8:10:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Hyundai, I will go to the sites, but nobody, and I mean nobody that is cool likes the Tiburon, and the name Tibby is not at as cool as Scooby. Plus the Tiburon doesn't have the cache nor the scoot, nor the racing heritage that a a Scooby does. And there are few cars as menacing as matte black Scooby with black rims.

— Inline6 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/10/2009 8:22:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

People dont buy Tibbys or any other Hyundai to be as cool as possible. People buy Hyundais becuase they are great value propostions, not as in cheap, but quality and performance for value!!!!!

However, buying a Tibby or any other Hyundai makes you cool becuase you are smart, Inline6.

By the way Inline6, consider a nice 6 Cyl Sonata wen the Next gen comes out in October. They say that engine is good for 285HP and 31 MPG .

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/10/2009 10:52:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Great value propositions=throw away cars. No, my next car will be a M3 or a Audi S5

— Inline6 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/10/2009 11:05:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Oh stop, the Koreans havent made throw away cars in years. Even cars like the Aveo and Reno arent all that bad anymore.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/11/2009 12:41:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I think that Hyundai should come up with their own designs instead of biting everyone else's.

Genesis Coupe=G37
Equus= A mixture of Lexus/Mercedes/Acura

— Type707 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/11/2009 2:19:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Type, the Gen coupe had a prototype 2 years before the G37 came out. So who copied who? Hummm...... Hyundai was testing Genesis Prototypes way back in 2005. Just do a web search on the earliest spy shots. G37 came out in 2007.

Hyundai has a 4 year testing policy on most new vehicles. KIA has been added to the policy. KIA has an ambitious goal to have defect free vehicles by 2012. They now openly say they are fighting to be the undisputed #1 Auto Make on all quality rankings lists. The name of the program is called: "Defects to Zero."

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/12/2009 3:24:34 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Considering KIA is already the 8th most reliable Auto Make out of 34 Makes sold in the US. It shouldnt be too hard of a task to get there in 3 years.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/12/2009 3:28:09 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Hyundai/KIA also long term tests current production models to see where thye can make improvements. Lexus/Toyota used to do that, but they stopped.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/12/2009 3:32:26 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Why would anyone want to have zero defects? They have these huge dealer networks with service departments to support. They would have little to do. Take one for the team, relax a little. Let a few defects through. The Americans are doing it...uh, were doing it.

The Equus looks like the anime representation of a luxury car from the future where they don't want to use real brand placement in the program.

— dodgedart (View Profile)

Posted on 5/15/2009 7:36:55 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

They are smoking som egood stuff with their LS rip off it amazing how they stay in buisness, they stole Honda designs for yeras now they are ripping off the luxury division no matter how you put it it's still an eco car and will not sell at 75K or evn 60K for that matter I have not seen a single Genesis v8 yet so what makes them think they can sell this?

— mikeydred20 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/15/2009 9:26:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1