Hyundai Equus

The Hyundai Equus (), (pronounced ˈek-wəs) known as the Hyundai Centennial in the Middle East, is a full-size high-end ultra-luxury car that serves as the flagship model of Hyundai Motor Company worldwide, named after the Latin word for "horse". The Hyundai Equus is the largest and most expensive sedan in the company's lineup. In 2009, the company released a new version on a rear-wheel drive platform aimed to compete with the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8 and Lexus LS.

First generation

In 1999, Hyundai Motors and Mitsubishi Motors presented their full-size sedan. Hyundai said that it was making a full-size sedan to compete with Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series in the Korean market. In reality it was competing against its domestic competitor SsangYong Chairman. Hyundai had great success with this car in Korea, but very few were exported to foreign countries.

The first generation was designed by Mitsubishi Motors who had their own version called the Proudia. It was jointly manufactured by both companies. The first generation car was introduced in 1999 as a front wheel drive car measuring long and wide. A long-wheelbase limousine model was available exclusively for the Korean domestic market, and at 92,510,000 South Korean won for the 2008 model with a V8 and no options, was the most expensive model in the company's lineup. The first generation Equus extended length limousine was...
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