Fresh off of successfully introducing its premium Genesis sedan and sporty Genesis coupe, Hyundai Motors is planning to turn everything up a notch by introducing its largest sedan, the Equus, to the US market. Hyundai has been testing the sedan in the U.S. all summer to gauge dealer and customer reaction, deciding that the market for the Equus is favorable, thus its planned introduction. Hyundai expects to begin shipment of the sedan late next year. The automaker will hold a "soft launch" of the Equus at this year's Pebble Beach Concourse d'Elegance.
Hyundai first introduced the Equus to American consumers at this year’s New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) and claims that visitor reaction to the sedan was highly favorable. Soon thereafter, Hyundai decided to import one hundred examples of the big sedan to the US market for display in select dealerships. In Hyundai's official press release, the automaker indicates that the Equus was well received, which allowed the go-ahead for the Equus' launch in America.
The Hyundai Equus shares the same rear wheel drive platform that underpins the successful Genesis sedan. Stretched by 4.3 inches, the larger Equus offers a more limousine look and room than the Genesis. The USDM Equus will be powered by the 4.6L Tau V6 that produces 375 horsepower. The more potent 5.0L V8, confirmed recently for the long wheelbase model in the Korean market, may also arrive, but there is no confirmation on that.
For now, Hyundai will retail the Equus in select Hyundai dealerships across America (100 to 200). Executives stressed that a premium brand is still in the works for the North American market. With regards to pricing, we speculate the Equus to start just north of the fully-loaded Genesis' sticker price, which is $42K. Hyundai executives also noted that buyers will have the choice of either a hood ornament or a simpler emblem. The final name of the US-market model has not been revealed, but we speculate that the Equus nomenclature will carry over.
More details will be posted as they become available.
[Source: Hyundai]
Continue reading for more images and the official press release.
PRESS RELEASE: HYUNDAI TO SELL ITS FLAGSHIP SEDAN IN U.S.
CRAFTED TO RIVAL MERCEDES, BMW, LEXUS AND THE WORLD'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS LUXURY AUTOMOBILES, MARKING ANOTHER STEP IN HYUNDAIS GROWTH AS A LEADING BRAND
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif., 08/12/2009
Hyundai is shaking things up at the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance by announcing its intention to launch its most premium luxury sedan in the U.S. next year.
Hyundai’s flagship, badged as the Equus in the Korean market, will be on display and on the roads surrounding the annual gathering of collectible classic luxury automobiles throughout the week, giving attendees a glimpse of the company’s most prestigious model.
“We showed the car at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, and the response was fantastic,” says John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO. “Since then, we’ve had a fleet travelling around the country, capturing input from our dealers and consumers. Here, too, the response was extraordinarily positive, and similar to the market reaction to the award-winning Genesis, so we’ve decided to bring it to the U.S.”
Hyundai’s flagship sedan, developed under the codename “VI,” launched this year in Korea. The Equus nameplate used there has adorned the company’s flagship model for 10 years, where it enjoys a reputation for quality and luxury in a place where Japanese and European luxury marques such as Lexus, BMW and Mercedes are coveted.
Here in the U.S., the runaway success of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis, which has garnered worldwide critical acclaim and remarkable sales success, gave Hyundai reason to consider expanding its brand further into the upper echelon of automotive luxury. But it was dealer and consumer response to a summer-long tour that saw Equus sedans visiting Hyundai showrooms across the country that solidified the decision.
DETAILS OF U.S. PLANS TO COME
Hyundai’s new flagship sedan is built on Hyundai’s all-new, innovative, premium rear-wheel-drive architecture, shared with the North American Car of the Year Genesis sedan and the performance-focused Genesis Coupe.
The new sedan will be sold in the U.S. beginning in late 2010. Pricing, packaging, specifications, and the final name of the car for the U.S. market will be announced closer to launch.
Kia has announced that the all-new 2011 model year Sorento CUV will be the first vehicle to be built at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) in West Point, Georgia. 
