Photo Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Equus

When Hyundai�s flagship sedan, the Equus, goes on sale in the U.S in December, it�ll start from as little as $58,900, rising to $64,900.

Prices include a $900 destination fee, free upkeep for 5 years/60,000 miles, complimentary valet service which includes a sales-person picking up and delivering the car for maintenance, and an iPad instead of an owner�s manual.

The Equus undercuts rivals by a substantial amount; the Lexus LS460 w/380bhp starts at $65,380, while the Mercedes S400 Hybrid w/295bhp starts at a hefty $91,000.

The Genesis-based Equus is only available with a 4.6 litre V8 petrol engine that pumps out 385bhp and is mated to a 6 speed automatic transmission. All that power goes to the rear wheels.

Entry-level Signature trim comes standard with a 17 speaker, 608W Lexicon sound system, bi-xenon headlamps w/LED day-time running lights, electric air suspension, heated wood/leather steering wheel, Alcantara suede headlining, front and rear parking sensors w/rear parking camera, ventilated leather front seats w/rear heated seats and drivers massage front seat.

The flagship Ultimate grade is offered with front camera, electric tail-gate, rear seat entertainment system w/ rear refrigerator, reclining and ventilated rear seats w/powered headrests, rear seat massage and leg support, rear seat refrigerator and a rear seat entertainment system.

"When you're spending this much for a new car, you don't want to feel like you've been short-changed on engineering, technology or features," said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO. "Equus Signature has the technology and content of fully-optioned flagship models from Lexus and BMW, while Equus Ultimate delivers a specification approached only by our competitors' low-volume, special-order models."

Press Release:

"At Your Service" Summary:

�Valet service � The dealership will pickup and deliver the owner's Equus for maintenance, replacement of wear items or warranty work

�Replacement vehicle � If alternative transportation is needed while service is being performed, the dealer will provide a Genesis or Equus at no cost

�Maintenance � Covers all factory maintenance for the first five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first

�Wear items � Covers brake pads, brakes discs, wiper blades and battery

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