NY Auto Show: Hyundai Equus At Mid-$50,000, Turbo & Hybrid Sonata

 Hyundai's all-new flagship 2011 Equus, like its Genesis sibling, is built on Hyundai's rear-wheel-drive architecture and powered by the 4.6-liter Tau® V8 engine producing an estimated 385 horsepower using premium fuel and 378 horsepower using regular fuel and mated to a ZF 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC® manual control. Equus is 7.2 inches longer (203.1 inches vs. 195.9 inches) than Genesis. At the New York Show, Hyundai announced such features as an iPad owners manual in the glove box, a service department that comes to you and pampering optional features including passenger massage seats.

 Equus will also have technology including a lane departure warning system, electronic air suspension, smart cruise control and a Lexicon® audio system. 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 has an optional camera located on the front grille and a standard camera on the rear decklid delivering a picture to an in-dash LCD monitor to help detect how close objects are when parking. The Equus will launch with a starting price in the mid $50,000 range.


New Turbo and Hybrid Engines For 2011 Sonata
Hyundai debuted its 274 horsepower 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged gasoline direct-injection four-cylinder engine with an estimated 22 mpg city and 34 mpg highway rating for the 2011 Sonata at the New York Auto Show.

Hyundai also unveiled its 209 horsepower 2011 Sonata Hybrid delivering electric-vehicle operation at steady-state speeds of up to 62 miles per hour - that's double most hybrids on the road today! I can't wait to test it. The Hyundai-developed Hybrid Blue Drive architecture, using lithium polymer battery technology, is a full parallel hybrid drive system, which can operate on an electric motor, gasoline internal combustion engine, and a combination of the two depending on driving conditions and driver demands. Sonata Hybrid’s projected highway fuel economy is 39 mpg and city fuel economy of 37 mpg.

2011 Hyundai Sonata To Start At $19,195 For 198hp GLS Model

 The all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata, the biggest hit of the Los Angeles Auto Show debuts, will have a starting price of $19,195 for the well-equipped GLS model powered by a 198 horsepower 2.4L GDI four-cylinder engine. The SE model with the 200 horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine starts at $22,595 and the top-of-the-line Limited model is available for $25,295.

The Sonata GLS manual has overall fuel economy of 24 mpg city/35 mpg highway, with all other Sonata models achieving 22 mpg city/35 mpg highway. The all-new 6th generation Sonata comes standard with XM Satellite® radio, standard Bluetooth® hands-free phone system, front driver and passenger airbags, front seat side impact and curtain airbags, ESC and Traction Control System, Antilock Braking System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Options include advanced touchscreen navigation, HD Radio Technology™ with multicasting (allowing the broadcast of alternative side-band content on HD stations) and heated front and rear heated seats. All navigation systems also include a 90-day complimentary subscription to real-time XM NavTraffic®, XM NavWeather®, XM Sports Ticker and XM Stock Ticker. The Navigation Package costs $2,100 and comes with rear backup camera and Infinity premium speakers with subwoofer/external amplifier.

Sonata will compete for customers against cars like Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima and Chevrolet Malibu.