Auto News 5

The UK might be bucking the trend with rising sales in Europe but that by no means leads to increased profits, as Peugeot UK's boss tells just-auto.

UK car sales rose 12 percent in September to the highest monthly total in more than five years, reflecting growing economic confidence.

Renault is working on hybrid technologies that it may offer in its cars by the end of the decade, a French newspaper said.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR JAKE LINGEMAN: I'm not normally a fan of the styling of the LR4. I think it looks silly with the window that wraps over the top. It sits bolt upright on the road and looks like it might tip over when on rough terrain.

Volkswagen plans to invest $235 million to build the latest Golf in Brazil.

Volkswagen plans to invest $235 million to build the latest Golf in Brazil.

Videos 4 Oct, 2013

Ben Collins takes on Damien Walters in a huge paintball fight in this video advert of the Audi RS 6 Avant

The third generation of the Daihatsu Tanto five-door mini car has been announced in Japan. The main novelty is the use of lightweight resin body panels.

Hyundai plans to build 300,000 cars this year at its plant in the Czech Republic and keep production at full capacity in the coming years.

News 4 Oct, 2013

Facelifted Skoda Yeti to cost from £16,600 ahead of January 2014 release date

News 4 Oct, 2013

September new car sales hit the 400,000 mark making it highest volume in 66 months

The latest issue of the Automotive News Europe monthly e-magazine looks at how the upscale push by volume brands such as Ford and Renault brings risks and potential rewards.

Volvo tapped the head of its finance arm as acting boss for the United States as part of a management shakeup to boost the automaker's lackluster sales and marketing in the U.S.

Toyota remains the most valuable automotive brand worldwide, followed by Mercedes and BMW in a survey of the 100 most valuable brands.

Volvo tapped the head of its finance arm as acting boss for the United States as part of a management shakeup to boost the automaker's lackluster sales and marketing in the U.S.

From GMM

F1's heavier drivers are pushing hard for an increase in the mandatory minimum weight of the cars next year.

It emerged recently that tall Nico Hulkenberg may have dropped out of contention for a McLaren seat in 2014 because he weighs in at a hefty 74 kg.

When asked about that rumour on Thursday, Christian Horner insisted the German was never in contention for a Red Bull seat in 2014, but if he was, his weight would have been a problem.

That is because, with F1's radical new powertrain rules next year, the cars are set to get much heavier in 2014, putting a premium on the smaller, lighter drivers.

The tall and thin Jenson Button, who revealed he "fasts" before a race weekend, said that if the sport doesn't change the rules, a "very talented driver could be missed for his height and weight".

"If he is over the weight by five kilos that is two tenths a lap and it is the end of your career," he told reporters in Korea. "It needs to change now. To be fair, we (drivers) should have pushed harder."

It is reported the drivers will raise the issue at forthcoming Grand Prix Drivers' Association meetings and pre-race briefings.

But a change for 2014 is now almost impossible, given the need for full unanimity up and down the pitlane.

Photo: WRi2

For Nico Hulkenberg, however, the issue could be urgent, as he looks to move on from Sauber and secure a more competitive seat.

He told Speed Week he would even consider forgoing a salary next year if it means he can push his career up the grid.

"It would depend on the whole deal," said Nico Hulkenberg. "With my personal sponsors, maybe I could afford it."

Another tall and therefore heavy driver, however, warned that the issue of driver weight might be overblown.

Adrian Sutil said: "We are not starving. When I looked at some of my colleagues at dinner - and I don't want to name names - you can see that one or two even has a little belly."

As Auto123.com had anticipated, veteran driver Tony Kanaan will join the Target Chip Ganassi squad for the 2014 IndyCar season as officially revealed on the series' official website.

The reigning Indianapolis 500 Mile Race champion and Chip Ganassi Racing Teams principal Chip Ganassi confirmed the move during a news conference at the Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston.

Ironically, 6 years ago, the Brazilian had turned down an offer from Ganassi in August 2008 to join the team; instead signing an extension with Andretti-Green.

Kanaan will join Dario Franchitti, a longtime friend who were teammates at Andretti Green Racing, two-time series champion Scott Dixon and Charlie Kimball to comprise a four-car lineup for 2014.

He'll drive a Honda-powered car with primary sponsorship from NTT Data.

Tony Kanaan, winner of the Indy 500 2013. (Photo: IndyCar)

The Equus is Hyundai's flagship, even though the automaker seems reluctant to let it lead the flotilla. Hyundai hardly advertises the vehicle and seems content with its low profile and modest sales (116 units sold in each of its first two years on the market).

The Equus is a big player in Korea, however, so Hyundai probably doesn't need it to swing for the fences here. Its Korean market history also had a hand in shaping its present form, which may not be dead-on for this market.

Let's just give thanks that it is here, because the Equus is one unique and value-packed, big luxury ride -- and exclusive even, by virtue of its small sales play. You won't see another on your block.

The revisions bestowed on it for model-year 2014 are right on the money.


What is the Hyundai Equus?
The Hyundai Equus is a full-size, rear-drive luxury sedan, equipped with a V8 engine and 8-speed transmission. The 5.0L direct-injection V8 produces 429 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque.

MSRP for the Signature model is $64,799. Our tester for the week was the only other model available (the Ultimate) which asks $$72,229.

Critics and consumers alike judged the 2011-‘12 model year cars as trying a bit too hard to impress -- too much chrome, too little refinement. So, the Equus now sports super-elegant 19” turbine-blade design wheels, instead of the previous super-bling shoes, and less chrome overall on its new front and rear facias. Those few changes have significantly altered the exterior vibe of the car. It looks quite classy.

The 5.0L direct-injection V8 produces 429 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Mike Goetz)

Driving the 2014 Hyundai Equus Ultimate
On the road the Equus is a revelation in how far luxury has moved away from this particular formula. European competitors have long shown that high luxury and high dynamic performance are not mutually exclusive. Hyundai no doubt has the R&D chops to deliver that as well, it just didn't happen in this generation Equus.

The 2014 Hyundai Equus Ultimate is a big cushy ride and proud of it.

It doesn't encourage you to throw it around, and you wouldn't want to either. However, get into the mood of low-stress driving and the 2014 Hyundai Equus Ultimate will reward with a very serene experience. The powerteam delivers effortless, smooth power at all times, and the suspension takes any and all road bumps and sends them into a black hole somewhere, never to be heard from again.

This “comfort above all” ethos may have evolved from the role the Equus has traditionally played in the Korean market: chauffeur-driven executive sedan.

The 2014 Hyundai Equus now features selectable modes that changes parameters for steering, for the Continuous Damping Control (CDC) “real time” suspension, and for the powertrain. Basically, Sport mode is sportier, Normal mode is more comfy, and a Snow mode was added to make the rear-drive-only Equus more all-weather savvy.

Sport mode is definitely sportier, but doesn't change the nature of the 2014 Hyundai Equus.

On the road the Equus is a revelation in how far luxury has moved away from this particular formula. (Photo: Mike Goetz)

Inside and Out of the 2014 Hyundai Equus Ultimate
Equus now has standard rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot detection. The Equus Ultimate models also have a heads-up display in the windshield. What's fantastic is that the blind-spot warnings and navigation instructions can be selected to show up in the heads-up display. You are always aware of the cars around you, and you never have to do anything but stare straight ahead. It's a big winner in my books.

The instrument panel and centre stack are all-new, and fit the new, more refined vibe of the Equus.

The new main screen is not a touchscreen, but a big controller and “get back buttons” mean you can always easily return to the main menu and never lose your way. There is also a “haptic” (touch feedback) dial control on the steering wheel for adjusting and selecting items via the screen in the gauge cluster.

The 2014 Hyundai Equus puts huge emphasis on backseat comfort. There are two 9.2” video screens mounted in the headrests and a “complete” set of controls for all the vehicle's adjustable functions, in the fold-down armrest. It's the largest and most complete rear-seat console I've ever seen.

The Ultimate models go further with power-door closing, and rear lumbar support.

Another cool feature is the credit-card style key fob, which can stay in your wallet.

The 2014 Hyundai Equus puts huge emphasis on backseat comfort. There are two 9.2” video screens mounted in the headrests and a “complete” set of controls for all the vehicle's adjustable functions, in the fold-down armrest. (Photo: Mike Goetz)

Comparing the 2014 Hyundai Equus
There is no shortage of big, rear-drive V8 luxury sedans. At the higher end, you have the BMW 7 Series ($106,600-plus), Mercedes-Benz S-Class ($100,000-plus), Audi A8 ($108,000-plus), Jaguar XJ ($89,000-plus), Lexus LS ($82,950-plus), and so on...

The closest competitor to the Equus in price might be the Infiniti M56, whose 5.7L V8, rear-drive model, starts at $67,400.

From GMM

Pirelli boss Paul Hembery on Friday admitted there is still no deal with the FIA for the sport's supply of tires beyond 2013.

The governing body rubber-stamped the Italian marque's continuing presence on the grid at the latest World Motor Sport Council meeting, but the FIA said the deal would only cover a "transition period".

"Pirelli has five year agreements signed with Ecclestone and the teams and expects that these are respected," La Gazzetta dello Sport correspondent Andrea Cremonesi said last week.

Paul Hembery told reporters in Korea: "There's meetings still going on. Unfortunately."

He said Pirelli is not worried.

"There might be more anxiety from the other people's point of view, because we could walk away," Paul Hembery warned.

He said the basis of the deal would be a five-year period.

Photo: Pirelli

The Hyundai Equus is the only high-end luxury vehicle offered by a non-premium brand. Hyundai's dealerships are not the luxury palaces of some premium brands, but that hasn't stopped Hyundai from providing a premium experience for owners and potential customers of its luxury Equus sedan.

Since the Equus was first introduced for model-year 2011, “Your Time, Your Place” and “At Your Service” have been part of the vehicle's proposition.

“Your Time, Your Place” is about shopping. For potential customers who would like to test drive the vehicle, a special trained “Product Champion” will deliver an Equus to their home or office for a personalized shopping experience.

“At Your Service” is about maintenance and repairs. Whenever an Equus owner or lessee needs to have their vehicle serviced, the dealership will pick up the customer's vehicle and leave the customer with a loaner. It's usually another Equus, but it could also be a Genesis or Veracruz. Customers also get their cars back with a detail service equivalent to a “new delivery.”

Equus models are only sold through 27 specially designated Equus dealers. (Hyundai has 210 dealers overall in Canada.) Toronto's West End Hyundai is one such Equus location, and dealer principal, Bob Attrel, says the program is a definite hit with his Equus customers.

At West End Hyundai, they have a dedicated Equus salesperson and a dedicated Equus service writer. Attrel says both individuals have forged great relationships with the Equus customers and know all of them by name.

Hyundai's Chad Heard says the program has become a “unique selling proposition” and encouraged the company to try a pilot program with Hyundai's other luxury offering, the Genesis sedan. So far, the Genesis pilot project is just for test drives, there is no service component.

Photo: Mike Goetz