Hyundais Equus sedan has been recognized as the Best New Car at the 2011 Atlanta International Auto Show by the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association (GAAMA). A panel of seven veteran automotive journalists announced the third annual selections before the opening of the five-day auto show.
Hyundai has come a long way in a very short time,” said Ryan Rees, GAAMA President. The Hyundai Equus offers value priced luxury with the engineering, technology and content of fully-optioned flagship models.
Hyundais all-new flagship Equus embarks in the new way of thinking, where smart luxury enables consumers to experience the advantages of a luxury vehicle without the typical six-figure price tags, said Mike OBrien, Vice President of Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. Compared to its primary competitors, the Equus delivers a remarkable advantage in technology and feature content with higher residual value than Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, and Audi A8.
As Hyundais flagship rear-wheel-drive sedan, Equus contains many Hyundai firsts. One innovative new technology is the Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system, which governs ESC, the electronic parking brake, smart cruise control, the collision warning sensor and the seatbelt tensioning system for optimal safety. The seatbelt tensioning system works through sensors, which detect critical driving situations and retract the seatbelts accordingly to prevent passenger movement. The Equus dynamic safety is further enhanced by the Lane Departure Warning System and drivers knee airbags.
Equus delivers an extraordinary array of interior technologies and features including an Alcantara suede headliner, heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, memory system, electronic parking brake, auto vehicle hold, navigation system, iPod connection, rear seat climate and seat function controls, lexicon premium surround sound audio system, power rear side-window shades, driver-seat massage, power reclining rear seats (60/40), heated rear seats and a power rear sunshade.
This straightforward lineup of just two extremely well-equipped configurations enables a simple and elegant purchase experience, a key aspect of Hyundais innovative perspective on intelligent luxury, which also includes Your Time, Your Place, the industrys first at-home vehicle demonstration program, At Your Service, the valet service program which provides at-home pickup for Equus service and maintenance and the industrys first iPad-based interactive owners manual.