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AutoGuide was recently invited by Hyundai to take a ride in its new flagship Equus luxury sedan, which is due out in the U.S. in 2011. We posted some initial impressions immediately afterward and have since prepared a little video of the car and our chat with Hyundai Motor America’s VP of Marketing Joel Ewanick.

Test drives aren’t allowed as the three models Hyundai has brought over from Korea are prototypes (complete with Korean navigation systems and gauges in km/h) so we had to settle for being chauffeured around, which one could argue, is really the best way to experience the Equus.

Designed to compete with the world’s best, the Equus is based on the Genesis Sedan platform but is a good deal larger.

At 74.8-inches wide, it’s thicker than an S-Class or Lexus LS. The wheelbase is relatively short for this type of vehicle at 119.9-inches and with an overall length of 203.1-inches (just slightly longer than the long wheelbase LS460), don’t expect it to handle like a BMW 750i. Then again, that’s not what vehicles like this were meant for.

Inside is where the real treats are, with every imaginable luxury available. Yes, we’re talking about massaging and reclining rear seats, seat-back mounted flip up tables, LCD screen DVD players and even a fridge. The Equus also gets heated and cooled seats and privacy shades for the back and side-rear windows. One feature we particularly liked was that the side window shades pop up by pulling on the power window switch a second time – which reduces the overall number of buttons and switches in the cabin. In fact, we were surprised by the limited number of cabin-cluttering switches. Another notable feature is the fact that the front passenger seat can be adjusted from an armrest console in the rear – presumably for the comfort and convenience of executive types riding in the back.

The interior materials are definitely high quality, although not quite what you might find in a Lexus LS. Then again, the interior of the BMW 750 isn’t quite what you’d find in a Lexus either. The excessive amount of wood trim certainly isn’t one of our favorite parts, but the genuine Suede headliner is.

Equus drivers will be able to appreciate high-tech features like a back-up camera (and front-facing camera), a blind spot monitoring system, active cruise control, a 528-watt 17-speaker Lexicon audio system and an adjustable air-ride suspension. Hyundai marketing boss Joel Ewanick said that by the time the Equus makes its way to the U.S. the suspension will receive a few tweaks. Normally this means “softening,” but Ewanick surprised us by saying that it will actually be made slightly stiffer than what is offered in Korea.

Under the hood the 2011 Equus gets the same 4.6-liter V8 found in the top-level Genesis Sedan. Making 375hp it should deliver a 0-60 mph time of just over six seconds, with a quarter mile time in the low 14s.

That’s definitely off the pace of both the German and Japanese competition, but you can be sure the Equus won’t cost like a German or Japanese luxury sedan either. Official pricing won’t be released for a while yet, but with the Lexus LS starting at $63,000, you can be sure the Equus will come in under that. A sub-$60,000 price tag isn’t out of the question.

When asked about the possibility of the U.S. Equus being offered with the (rumored) 5.0-liter V8, Hyundai PR boss Jim Trainor said that the focus for now is going to be on the 4.6.

Set to hit the market as a 2011 model, the Equus will go on sale in late 2010. Look for an official debut next April at the 2010 New York Auto Show.

So with the future of the Equus in the U.S seemingly set, there are a few remaining question marks. For starters, the name. Hyundai says it is considering a name change and we wouldn’t be surprised to see one.

Another question you might have is: what about that hood ornament? Sorry to say, the brand-focused marketing folks have decided to axe the ostentatious winged creature (or whatever it is) in favor of a flush-mounted symbol. Those interested will, however, be able to get the hood ornament as a dealer installed option.

The final question for both Hyundai and the Equus is: how will it be received? Quite well, we think.

Trainor says the company has humble goals of just a few thousand units and with changing perceptions about the brand (thanks to the Genesis sedan and coupe) the Equus now offers Hyundai the chance to leapfrog established luxury brands, like Acura.

GALLERY: 2011 Hyunda Equus

At long last, it’s here. Rumors of some sort of even-sportier MINI model have been bouncing around for years and finally, with the debut of the MINI Coupé Concept, there’s reason to believe MINI will actually take action and bring a sporty two-seater to market.

The debut comes exactly 50 years after Alec Issigonis showed the original MINI.

Powered by the same John Cooper Works turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder as the current line of top-level MINIs, the Coupe makes 211hp and 192 ft-lbs of torque, with a bump to 206 ft-lbs possible thanks to an overboost function.

The unique roof was designed to increase downforce, while create a functional amount of rear storage space. The new roof is also made of aluminum to help keep weight on the coupe to a minimum. MINI has yet to release all the details but does mention in its press release that “extreme lightweight technology makes this tw0-seater particularly agile and efficient.”

As for the dimensions, the Coupe measures 146.2-inches (3,714 millimeters) in length, 66.3-inches (1,683 millimeters) in width and 53.4-inches (1,356 millimeters) in height.

Inside the MINI Coupé Concept keeps much of the traditional MINI interior style. There are even two clocks inside, one for keeping time and one for keeping lap times!

MINI is expected to bring the Coupé Concept to market but it’s not likely until 2011 at the earliest.

GALLERY: MINI Coupé Concept

Official release after the jump:

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Ahead of its official debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month, Porsche has released details and a sizable gallery of photos of the 2010 version of its successful GT3 Cup car.

With the slogan, “stronger, wider, faster” the new Cup car is just that. Based on the GT3 RS road car, this model features the exact same 3.8-liter engine with 450hp – up 30hp over the past cup car. The engine is mated to a sequential six-speed transmission.

The new GT3 Cup car boasts the same wider fenders as the new GT3 RS, as well as 1.73-inch wider fenders than the street car to make room for a massive set of 18×9.5 and 18×12-inch wheels that can barely contain the massive PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes, which weigh 44 lbs less than conventional brakes.

Thanks to a fully stripped-down body, the new GT3 Cup car weights just 2,646 lbs.

Aerodynamic improvements have been made though the use of a new front lip that sits 0.6-inches lower than the street GT3 RS, as well as a simply massive rear spoiler that measures 66.9-inches in width.

The new version of the GT3 Cup car, the world’s most successful and best selling race car,  will be available in October for race teams around the world.

GALLERY: 2010 Porsche GT3 Cup Car

Official releae after the jump:

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A rumored deal between Volkswagen and Suzuki has been revived after the VW CEO Dr. Martin Winterkorn told a German magazine that Suzuki would make an “interesting partner.”

“Suzuki would be an interesting partner because of its competency in small cars,” Winterkorn said in an interview with German publication Manager Magazin.

It is believed that Volkswagen is looking for a company like Suzuki to gain expertise in launching a mini-car in emerging markets. The partnership between the two automakers would see the development of a mini car to slot in under the upcoming small cars that will be based on the Volkswagen Up! concept. Currently, Suzuki’s Alto (pictured above) is the number one selling car in India.

In June, Reuters reported that Volkswagen was interested in gaining a 10 percent stake in Suzuki but the Japanese company’s Chief Executive Osamu Suzuki denied any contact between the two companies.

[Source: Reuters]

Hyundai Motor Co. has announced plans to debut a small electric car at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month. The new model will be based on the i10 mini-car platform, but it is not clear when Hyundai will deliver a production model to market.

The electric i10 is a part of Hyundai’s new corporate mission to become one of the four major green car automakers. That plan will see the Korean automaker deliver several new alternative-fuel models over the next few years. Hyundai has already announced it will bring a lithium-ion hybrid version of the upcoming Sonata to market, and promises plug-in hybrids by 2012. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are also expected.

[Source: JoongAng Daily]

Demand for the new 2010 Lexus HS250h hybrid sedan is so high in Japan that the automaker fears it might not be able to keep up with expected sales volumes in the U.S.

The world’s first stand-alone luxury hybrid has just gone on sale in Japan and its popularity has far exceeded expectations. Toyota initially planned to sell 500 units a month of the new Lexus model but so far the automaker has already received 10,000 orders.

Toyota’s first priority will be meeting demand in its home market, where profit margins are much higher. Due the the decreased value of the Yen against the U.S. dollar, vehicles sold in the U.S. are far less profitable.

Lexus is unlikely to delay the launch of the HS250h in the U.S., which is expected to take place next month, so long waiting lists are expected. Pricing for the new model is expected to start at $35,075.

This is the second hybrid model supply issue for Toyota in recent months, as a shortage of batteries has slowed the company’s ability to keep up with demand for the 2010 Prius.

[Source Automotive News via Autoblog]

The BBC is about to expand on the mystery surrounding Top Gear’s ‘The Stig’ by asking not only who he is, but also where.

Now while 40 year old men who play with cars can wonder who the Stig really is, their children can hunt for the silent hot-shoe in a new series of books the BBC is launching based on the popular Where’s Waldo? series.

Called Where’s Stig? the books will be illustrated by Rod Hunt and feature ‘The Stig’ carefully hidden amongst throngs of shoppers at the mall or folks at the zoo. And who knows, maybe some of the pages will feature other Top Gear characters, although searching for an abnormally tall Jeremy Clarkson with his curly mop of hair might not prove so challenging.

BBC Books will officially launch the Where’s Stig? book on September 17th.

[Source: Design You Trust]

After announcing earlier this week that it has not reached a deal to sell Opel, General Motors is now apparently exploring options to keep the European unit.

This news comes as a surprise considering selling off Opel is a part of the company’s viability plan as submitted to the U.S. government in order to receive $50 billion in funding. In order to do so GM would reportedly need to raise $4.3 billion, which seems unlikely for a company that is still suffering from decreased sales and has only recently emerged from bankruptcy.

Earlier this week GM announced that it did not come to a decision on which of the two rival candidates it woud choose to sell Opel to. GM has received significant pressure from the German government to accept a deal from Canadian autoparts maker Magna Internatinal, but board members have been opposed to the deal, mostly because it could provide some of Magna’s Russian backers with technology that would allow them to compete with GM.

The German government favors the Magna deal over competing bidder RHJ International because Magna has agreed to keep jobs in Germany. The German government is offering $6.4 billion in loans to help the Magna purchase go through.

Apparently a new deal by RHJ would allow GM to keep some control over Opel and even allow the automaker to buy it back.

GM board members are currently in talks with the German government, where the Opel situation has become a national issue in the country’s upcoming elections. GM’s best case scenario would see the German government secure loans under a sale to RHJ, but so far German Chancelor Angela Merkel has not shown any interest in RHJ.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Audi is planning to launch its scalding hot RS3 hatch in the premium compact market at the Frankfurt Auto Show in mid-September. As Audi doesn’t even sell the S3 model in North America its highly unlikely the RS version will be offered here either,  which is a serious shame.

The RS3 is reported to use the impressive turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder motor from the potent TT-RS. It could make as much as 340hp and 332 ft-lbs of torque, allowing it to hit 60 mph in as little as 4.5 seconds. If that power output is indeed correct, then look for plenty of other upgrades includng upgraded brakes and a more sport-tuned suspension. And you can also bet on a new aerodynamic kit.

Be sure to check AutoGuide starting September 15th for live coverage from the Frankfurt Auto Show.

[Source: LeftLaneNews]

While the 2011 Hyundai Tucson isn’t set to officially debut until the Geneva Auto Show in March, the Korean automaker has released some details and a few photos of the new model for the Korean market.

In Korea two engines will be offered, a diesel and a gasoline motor, both of which will have a displacement of 2.0-liters. The diesel will make 184hp and get 36 mpg, while the gasoline motor will make 166hp and get 27.5 mpg. Both engines will be paired with a new six-speed automatic transmission. The diesel powerplant will be available with either front-drive or AWD, while the gasoline will be offered only as FWD.

When it makes its way to North America, expect AWD to be available with the gasoline motor and we’re still expecting to hear news of a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Notable features on the new model include stability control, downhill brake control and hill-start assist, a backup camera and a panoramic sunroof.

Called the ix35 in some markets, the Tucson is expected to keep its traditional Arizona name when it arrives in the U.S.

GALLERY: 2011 Hyundai Tucson

Official release after the jump:

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