2010 New York Auto Show: Hyundai Equus Unveiled for US, Ditches Paper Owner’s Manual

After a year or so of public contemplation, Hyundai has officially pulled the trigger on bringing its heretofore Korea-market-only full-size luxury sedan, the Equus, to the U.S. The wraps came off the V8, rear-drive flagship Thursday the New York Auto Show (though we can confirm it’s no April Fool’s joke), and it looks quite similar to the domestic market version, with the notable exception of the upright hood ornament, though a cottage industry for importing the genuine article and other bonnet bling (Birds? Jungle cats? Nekkid ladies preparing to throw hand grenades?) will surely spring up by the time you finish reading this sentence.

At its heart, the Equus is a stretched (by 7.2 inches if you’re into semantics) and restyled Genesis Sedan, though the Equus’ 4.6L DOHC Tau V8 is expected to punch out 385hp as opposed to 375hp for little brother. Other notable features on the Equus will include adaptive air suspension, a 17-speaker 608-watt Lexicon sound system, adaptive cruise control, and even optional two-across rear seating with a small refrigerator in the console.

But perhaps the most eyebrow-raising feature on tap is the owner’s manual, or more accurately, the lack thereof. Sure, you’ll still be able to learn about the Equus’ bevy of systems and gizmos, except all that info will be loaded onto an included iPad-esque device (It might even be the actual Apple product, though Hyundai isn’t saying who will make it at this point.). The tablet computer will also be used for things like scheduling service appointments at the dealer.

So how much will this gadget and the car it comes with cost? Right now, Hyundai will only say that Equus prices will start between $50,000 and $60,000. That’s cheaper than even the Lexus LS460, but does that mean the doctors and lawyers of America will consider buying a big luxury sedan from the same company that built the far-from-excellent first generation Excels some of them probably had the misfortune of owning during their undergrad days? We’ll find out together later this summer.

Source: Hyundai