The 2016 Equus premium luxury sedan continues to offer superior exterior and interior design, superb vehicle dynamics, material selection, driver technology displays and advanced safety features. Equus has been an impressive success story for Hyundai, bolstering its brand with consistently strong sales success and elevated customer satisfaction processes. For 2016, Equus adds the availability of Hands-free Smart Trunk with Automatic Opening to the Ultimate model, for even more luxurious convenience.

Exterior design

The Equus exterior conveys a premium-sport design message, with a 19-inch turbine-blade alloy wheel design in a polished silver finish that relays motion whether parked or on the open highway. The front grille chrome bars are thin, with sharp contrast to the blacked-out portions of the grille for a sporty look, while the front fascia offers a modern premium appearance that includes lower fascia opening strakes. The headlamps offer jeweled design elements and include chrome contrasted with black-out finishes for a distinctive appearance and LED fog lamps are standard. Side mirrors offer enhanced aerodynamics and tail lamp graphics for a horizontal theme.

Vehicle dynamics

Equus driving dynamics minimize traditional ride and handling compromises, with Normal and Sport modes each taking on a differentiated ride and handling character. The air suspension Sport mode offers more controlled damping, while Normal mode offers enhanced ride comfort while retaining a well-controlled handling demeanor. For those customers that experience adverse weather conditions such as ice and snow, a Snow mode function for the drive mode system helps both safety and ease of control in challenging road conditions.

In urban areas, Equus is easy to maneuver and park, thanks to electro-hydraulic steering and front and rear parking assistance system. While the Equus is large, it doesn’t feel over-sized or clumsy due to its 39.6 foot turning circle and variable-effort steering system.

On winding country and mountain roads, the Equus benefits from the precise wheel articulation delivered by its five-link front and rear suspension geometry. This geometry is maximized through Continuous Damping Control (CDC), which continually monitors road and driving dynamics and optimizes damping force accordingly. The standard 19-inch alloy wheel and tire package with staggered width tires (P245/45R19 front P275/40R19 rear) offers excellent grip and precise control.

Advanced technologies

All Equus driver-interface displays are generous, with a large, 7-inch Thin-film Transistor (TFT) LCD center cluster display for Signature models, a 12.3-inch, fully-digital TFT LCD center cluster display for Ultimate models, and a standard 9.2-inch center instrument panel LCD display. Dual high-resolution 9.2-inch rear seat entertainment monitors are available to rear passengers in the Ultimate model. All of Equus’ displays are large and legible, featuring premium-quality, high-resolution graphics. The Ultimate model’s large, fully-digital LCD display offers various driver menus that can be accessed directly via steering wheel haptic dial control, helping to keep the driver’s hands on the wheel for minimal driving distraction.

The climate control system offers three distinct cabin temperature zones for driver, passenger, and rear passengers. The standard smart cruise control system includes a full 0-mph stop-and-start function. The smart proximity key includes both key-fob and card-key types of vehicle entry for driver convenience. Ultimate models feature an automatic power door closure assist function; once a door manually approaches full closure, a power function slowly and quietly ensures the door is fully secured for peace of mind. Also on the Ultimate model, both rear outboard passengers have power lumbar support.

Powerful 5.0-liter tau V8 engine

The 2016 Equus is powered by Hyundai’s 5.0-liter Tau DOHC V8 engine, producing 429 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm, with a higher specific output (85.8 hp/liter) than its normally-aspirated premium luxury competitors. The Tau V8 engine creates this high output level while retaining exceptionally smooth power delivery throughout its rpm range, without the turbo lag and surge exhibited by some forced-induction engines.

The 5.0-liter Tau also features direct injection technology. This high-pressure direct injection system (over 2,200 psi) dramatically increases power and torque, while reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The 5.0-liter Tau has a high 11.5:1 compression ratio for greater thermal efficiency and output. It also has a bed plate for improved block rigidity and lower NVH, as well as camshaft carriers and a roller timing chain to improve valvetrain stability.

This V8 engine offers premium engine technologies, including Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT), a tuned variable induction system, and low-friction diamond-like coatings (DLC) on piston skirts, rings and tappets. Even with these impressive power increases, EPA fuel economy is estimated at 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined.

The Tau V8 engine is coupled with a Hyundai-developed eight-speed transmission with SHIFTRONIC® manual shift capability for enhanced acceleration and overall efficiency.

Innovative ownership experience

Hyundai will continue to offer its unique ownership experience for Equus customers, including tailored dealership showrooms, “Your Time, Your Place” at-home vehicle demonstrations, “At Your Service” valet service appointments and an interactive owner’s manual app for Apple iPad®.

The sales and service experience for Equus is unlike any other in the industry, with a special focus on the customer’s time and convenience. Prospective buyers can participate in the “Your Time, Your Place” valet test drive program, where a specially-trained Product Champion will deliver an Equus to their home or office for a personalized, convenient shopping experience. Equus also features the industry’s first interactive owner’s manual app, providing a convenient and simpler way for owners to become familiar with the full capabilities of the vehicle.

Another benefit of Equus “At Your Service” is completely free maintenance services for three years or 36,000 miles. During this period, all maintenance is fully covered by Hyundai, providing exceptional peace of mind to Equus owners. When maintenance is required, Equus owners can schedule an appointment through a simple online system or from the interactive owner’s manual. An Equus owner can also choose to have their vehicle picked up at their home or business, with a complimentary loaner dropped off. Once maintenance is completed, the owner again chooses the time and location for the vehicle to be delivered.

Premium rear-wheel-drive architecture

Equus is the third rear-wheel-drive product in Hyundai’s lineup and boasts near perfect front-to-rear weight distribution for exceptional handling balance and more refined steering characteristics. Equus reduces interior noise levels and improves ride and handling with a rigid, lightweight body structure. The use of advanced high-strength steel in critical areas throughout the unibody provides Equus with significantly higher dynamic torsional rigidity and a lower body structure weight, despite having a spacious interior cabin.

Luxurious features and design

For 2016, the Equus Ultimate now offers Hands-free Smart Trunk with Automatic Opening, for even greater convenience. This feature enables the owner to open the trunk, hands-free, by simply standing for a few seconds within a few feet of the Equus trunk with the Equus key in their pocket or purse. This feature is especially helpful when the owner’s hands are full from shopping or anything else they might be carrying. The hands-free function is easier to use than many competitors that require the driver to kick near a sensor below the trunk to activate the hands-free operation.

The busy executive as well as the couple heading out on the town will feel right at home in the Equus due to abundant luxury touches and passenger comfort features. This ambience begins with superior quality materials and design layout. The leather upholstery, Microfiber suede headliner, genuine wood trim and leather-wrapped French-stitched instrument panel showcase the richness of the Equus interior.

The seats are fully adjustable with plenty of width and support. Thermoelectric devices located in the seat backs and bottom cushions provide control for heating, cooling and humidity. There is ample leg and head room for drivers over six-feet tall. In fact, Equus has more leg, head and shoulder room in the front and rear seats than the Lexus LS460.

The driver’s cockpit boasts an abundance of features and premium services. The Driver Information System (DIS) provides navigation, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, HD Radio technology, hands-free Bluetooth® phone system, Blue Link® telematics, and much more.

Uncompromised safety technologies

Equus offers a number of technologies that help reduce the potential for distracted driving by helping drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. A Blind Spot Detection system is standard, with blind spot vehicle alerts in either mirror. On the Ultimate model, a high-visibility Heads-up Display provides vehicle speed, navigation turn-by-turn instructions, smart cruise control indicators and select driving data viewable well above the cowl plane for reduced driving distraction.

When parking or navigating tight urban situations, Equus Ultimate offers a multi-view camera system that provides an aerial view of the vehicle with split-screen vehicle perspectives for optimized visibility and safety. In addition, all models include Rear Cross-traffic Alert to help alert drivers of vehicles crossing their path when backing up.

Equus also offers a lane departure warning system, with audible and visual warnings activated after a one-second lane departure. The system adds a haptic warning, via the seatbelt, for an extra margin of alert. Further, to help maintain safer following distances in traffic, Equus’ smart cruise control automatically manages the Equus’ speed through the braking and throttle systems to maintain a specified following distance selected by the driver.

Equus maintains Hyundai’s emphasis on delivering leading safety technology, boasting world-class active and passive safety features to help prevent accidents, and maximize the well-being of its occupants in the event of a collision. Equus offers key safety technologies, with features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), nine airbags, electronic active front head restraints, lane departure warning system and smart cruise control that monitors and adjusts following distances in traffic. Equus even has a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system that optimally manages ESC, the electronic parking brake, smart cruise control and the seatbelt tensioning system for optimal safety.

Equus’ total of nine airbags include advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, roof-mounted side curtain airbags for both front and rear outboard seat occupants and a driver’s knee airbag. Equus utilizes strong unibody construction, along with front and rear crumple zones, bodyside reinforcements and five-MPH energy-absorbing bumpers. The hood also includes buckling creases and safety stops to maximize occupant protection inside the cabin.

Equus is confidently brought to a stop by large four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). The 14.2-inch front rotors have four-piston fixed calipers and the rear brakes feature 12.4-inch rotors with single floating piston calipers.

Lexicon® audio system offers unrivaled audio performance

Equus offers an ultra-premium Lexicon-branded state-of-the-art audio system featuring LOGIC 7® technology. The Lexicon surround sound audio system includes a 13-channel digital amplifier and 17 speakers producing 598 watts of power in 7.1 discrete surround sound audio. Equus also offers the clarity of digital HD Radio technology, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and iPod®/USB integration.

Connected care and Hyundai Blue Link®

The 2016 Equus offers the Hyundai Blue Link® safety, service and infotainment telematics system. Blue Link brings seamless connectivity directly into the car with technology like remote start, destination search powered by Google®, remote door lock/unlock and stolen vehicle recovery. In addition to these features and services, Equus comes standard with one year of complimentary Blue Link Connected Care. Connected Care is a suite of safety and car care features providing Hyundai owners with free proactive services including automatic collision notification, SOS emergency assistance, enhanced roadside assistance, monthly vehicle health reporting and maintenance alerts.

2016 Hyundai Equus

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2016 Hyundai Equus

Source: Hyundai