New Cars

Hyundai, the South Korean automaker-that-could, plans to offer more personalized service and deliver the royal treatment to owners of its upcoming $50,000+ Equus luxury sedan that will slot above the Genesis in the firm's U.S. lineup.

First of all, those interested in buying the car won't even have to bother going to the dealership. As part of Hyundai's "Your Time, Your Place" program, a salesman will bring an Equus right in front of your door for demonstration purposes and a test drive.

If you decide to buy the car, then you'll be eligible for another perk, Hyundai's Valet Service program, which provides at-home pickup for Equus service and maintenance. And while your car is in for a fix, a dealer "valet" will drop off a Genesis so you can move around. Did we mention that Hyundai has also replaced the car's manual with an Apple iPad?

And if you're wondering how will Hyundai be able to offer so much to its Equus customers, the answer is simple; low volume. According to Hyundai Motor America President and CEO John Krafcik, the firm doesn't expect to sell more than 2,000 to 3,000 Equus sedans a year in the States.

Hyundai Introduces Equus Long-Wheelbase, Armored Versions

The Equus first surfaced around the beginning of this year. At the time, most thought it was a vehicle slated for Hyundai’s home market of South Korea only. Given Hyundai’s relentless drive upward though, it has proved to be much more than that.

Hyundai tested reception of the car in our market by displaying it at the New York Auto Show and placing the car in various Hyundai dealerships around the country.

One thing that should have came through with all the recent vehicles Hyundai has been launching – they aren’t messing around. Most proper luxury sedans in the segment offer two wheelbase lengths available, standard and extended. As such, Hyundai recently let drop images of the the extended wheel-base model of the Equus, dubbed the Equus Limousine, or VL500.

Now the company hasn’t confirmed if it will be coming to the United States or not, but if the past is any guide of the future I’d say there is a good chance. Imagine, it could be like a bargain Maybach! The neat thing though is that Hyundai is even getting into producing armored versions already.

Three armored Hyundai Equus VL500 were built and provided to the Korean Presidential Security Service for use at the G20 summit held in South Korea next year. The three limousines are the first armored cars to be built in the country.

They’re up to snuff too, able to withstand the blast of 15 kilograms of TNT, a level similar to that of Mercedes-Benz and BMW’s armored vehicles. I’m not sure if there will be an armored Equus that is sold to the public, or if they are just made for the country’s leader. Either way, Hyundai is going all-out with the new Equus.

Hyundai Introduces Equus Long-Wheelbase, Armored Versions

The Equus first surfaced around the beginning of this year. At the time, most thought it was a vehicle slated for Hyundai’s home market of South Korea only. Given Hyundai’s relentless drive upward though, it has proved to be much more than that. Hyundai tested reception of the car in our market by displaying it at the