2011 Hyundai Equus Review Debuts In New York

The 2011 Hyundai Equus to prove that a Lexus LS 460 in the scene by offering the best value proposition in the luxury flagship segment. We want to see how Hyundai's new range-topping model stand to-day hard day American life, and so we just added one to the Autoblog Garage Long Term.

Yes, this is a Hyundai that has an MSRP—not including a $900 freight charge—of $64,500. Yes, you read “Hyundai” and “$64,500” in the same sentence. People can quibble all day as to whether that should be the case, but as someone likes to say to me with an unassailable logic, “It is what it is.”

The things that quite luxurious for rear seat passengers, as features such as lying down power and massage functions have been added, and the rear entertainment system, refrigerator, power headrests and illuminated vanity mirrors. And yes, our car did have a lie right rear passenger seat. Check out the full list of our cars on the Monroney equipment.

Before we proceed, we must acknowledge that we have not organized as we had planned with another update on our two long-term cars - the Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street. You will hear about the good fortune in the near future so, and to fix this problem with disorder, we will update our long-term is slightly different from Equus.

There is are additional goodies for those who opt for the Equus Ultimate (there are two trim levels: Signature for $58,000 and Ultimate for $64,500), of which only two are of interest to anyone but the rear-seat occupants: the forward-view cornering camera (this, presumably, helps when trying to edge out onto a perpendicular street in that there is an image on the navigation screen of the front view with a bit on either side) and the power trunk lid (what can be said?). The other items include a rear entertainment system and increased luxuriation of the rear seats (yes, I just made that word up, but there is no other word for it: what happens when you pile lux on lux?).

2011 Hyundai EQUUS SIGNATURE KEY STANDARD FEATURES

* 4.6L DOHC Tau V8 engine
* Six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC®
* Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS)
* Electronically controlled air suspension with Continuous Damping Control (CDC)
* 19-inch chrome alloy wheels with P245/45R19 (front) / P275/40R19 (rear) tires
* Four-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and EBD
* Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with TCS and Brake Assist
* Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system with pre-collision warning
* Nine airbags: advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, driver knee airbag, and roof-mounted side-curtain airbags
* Electronic active front head restraints with power controls
* Electronic seatbelt pretensioners
* Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
* Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
* Smart Cruise Control
* High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with LED turn signal indicators
* Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFLS) with auto-leveling
* Fog lights and automatic headlights
* Front and rear parking assistance system with rearview camera
* Dual power-folding heated auto-dimming side mirrors with turn signal indicators and approach lamps
* Dual asymmetrical exhaust tips integrated with rear bumper
* Proximity key entry with push-button start
* Illuminated scuff plates, inside door handles and door armrest
* Premium leather seating surfaces and Alcantara® suede headliner
* 12-way power driver seat plus lumbar adjustment and 10-way power front passenger seat
* Driver seat massage system
* Heated and cooled front seats
* Heated, wood-trimmed and leather-wrapped steering wheel
* Power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel
* Integrated Memory System (IMS) for driver-side seat, mirror and steering wheel
* Leather-wrapped dash and real wood interior trim
* Electroluminescent cluster (Supervision) with 3.5-inch TFT LCD screen
* Electronic parking brake with automatic vehicle hold
* Power windows with auto-down/up
* Navigation system with DIS and multimedia controller
* Apple iPad interactive owner's manual
* 608-watt Lexicon 7.1 Discrete surround-sound audio system with 17 speakers
* iPod/USB and MP3 auxiliary input jacks and iPod connection cable
* XM® Satellite Radio & NavTraffic® with trial subscription
* Bluetooth® hands-free phone system
* Dual automatic temperature control with air quality system
* Windshield-wiper deicer, rain-sensing wipers and auto-defogging windshield with humidity sensor
* Electrochromic auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with HomeLink® and compass
* Acoustic laminated windshield, front and rear side windows
* Power tilt-and-slide glass sunroof
* 60/40 power reclining and heated rear seats
* Power rear sunshade and rear side-window sunshades
* Luggage net
* Premium-grade floor mats
* Premium-grade trunk cargo mat
* First-aid kit (PIO)


EQUUS ULTIMATE ADDS ULTRA-LUXURY FEATURES

Equus Ultimate adds or replaces:

* 50/50 split rear seats (four-passenger seating) with reclining function
* First-class passenger-side rear seat: leg support and massage system
* Cooled rear seats
* Rear-seat entertainment system with eight-inch monitor
* Thermoelectric rear center console refrigerator
* Rear-seat power up/down head restraints with manual tilt
* Rear-seat illuminated vanity mirrors
* Forward-view cornering camera
* Power trunk lid

Hyundai Sonata Midsize Sports Sedan

Hyundai introduced its all-new Hyundai Sonata at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. This marked the North American debut of the latest version of the popular midsize sedan, introducing Hyundai's "Fluidic Sculpture" design language and an all four-cylinder engine lineup to the U.S. market. Hyundai Sonata is the second vehicle in Hyundai's 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative (seven new models in the next 24 months) following on the heels of the all-new Tucson. Production of Hyundai Sonata will begin in December 2009 at Hyundai's U.S. plant in Alabama with retail sales beginning in January 2010.

Hyundai Sonata Midsize Sports Sedan

The new Sonata will launch with Hyundai's new Theta II GDI 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a Gasoline Direct-Injection (GDI) fuel delivery system, which contributes to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Hyundai Sonata is the first midsize sedan to adopt GDI technology as standard equipment in a naturally aspirated powertain. This shorter, more direct path of fuel delivery, allows for greater control of the fuel mixture at the optimum moment, thus improving efficiency. The fuel is injected by a camshaft-driven, high pressure pump that operates at pressures up to 2,175 psi. Direct injection also utilizes a higher than normal 11.3:1 compression ratio for increased power. The pistons are "dished" to increase combustion efficiency in the cylinder. This powerplant will deliver best-in-class fuel economy, best-in-class four-cylinder horsepower and best-in-class torque.

The Sonata 2.0T, as the car is officially named, is powered by a new 2.0-liter Theta II twin-scroll turbocharged gasoline direct-injection (GDI) engine that produces 274 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 269 lb-ft of torque from 1800-4500 rpm with regular fuel. The engine is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control that drives the front wheels. No performance figures were released but Hyundai did announce that the Sonata 2.0T will deliver an estimated 22 mpg (10.7lt/100km) city and 34 mpg (6.9lt/100km) highway.

The 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbo engine will be available on the Sonata SE and Limited trim level, with the Limited getting additional upgrades, including a panoramic sunroof, 18-inch "hyper" silver alloy wheels, dual exhaust system and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Next year, Hyundai will add a 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine and a 2.4-liter Hybrid Blue Drive model featuring Hyundai's breakthrough lithium polymer battery pack. Details about these powertrains will be announced at the 2010 New York Auto Show. Hyundai Sonata's innovative segment first powertrain lineup is a key driver of Hyundai's goal to be the most fuel-efficient automaker on the planet.

Hyundai's commitment to making the Hyundai Sonata extremely fuel efficient continues with a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control or a standard six-speed manual transaxle. Hyundai's all-new six-speed automatic A6MF2 transaxle helps the company meet its goals of improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Shifts are silky-smooth with an option of manual control through the SHIFTRONIC feature.

Developed over a four-year period, this new six-speed automatic is 26.4 pounds lighter than the five-speed it replaces. It also is 1.6 inches shorter and considerably simpler, having 62 fewer parts, which is a key to increased durability, lighter weight and lower cost. When it comes to transmissions, more gears are definitely better. The addition of a sixth gear enables closer spacing between gear ratios providing a better balance of performance and fuel economy while the wide overall gear ratio helps deliver strong acceleration.

All Sonatas have column-mounted, motor-driven electric power steering that adjusts instantly to changing driving conditions while improving fuel economy over a conventional steering system. A quick-ratio steering rack is used for crisp feel on turn-in. Hyundai Sonata's turning diameter of 35.8 feet is better than Camry, Accord, Altima, Fusion and Malibu.

One of the program targets for the 2011 Sonata engineering team was world-class power-to-weight ratio. Power-to-weight ratio pays dividends in both performance and fuel economy. Hyundai Sonata is rich in ultra-high-strength steel, leading to world-class body rigidity. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is 25 percent stiffer in torsion and 19 percent stiffer in bending rigidity than its predecessor, yet it is lighter than many midsize sedans, also offering more interior room.

The 2011 Sonata is a smart combination of superior styling, performance, safety and fuel efficiency. What’s more, it’s an affordable midsize car, putting a luxurious and rewarding driving experience within reach of many. Make the 2011 Sonata a part of your future.