Hyundai does not really have a history of making luxury cars, but the brand’s current S-Class rival from South Korea, the Equus or Centennial, depending on the market, is not the first car of its kind from the manufacturer. It was actually preceded by a front-wheel drive car, which was developed by Mitsubishi, based on the latter’s amusingly-named Proudia.
The cars were built between 1999 and 2008, before Hyundai introduced the current, rear-wheel drive model in 2009. The first-gen car was only available with front-wheel drive, and engines ranged in displacement from a 3.0-liter V6 to a 4.5-liter V8, which were changed and improved throughout the life of the car.
Its main markets were, of course, South Korea (where it rivaled not the S-Class and 7-Series, but the SsangYong Chairman), as well as the Middle East and China. A handful were actually brought to Europe, and apparently only one made it to the US, where it was shown at the 2001 edition of the NY motor show.
It also came in two body lengths (sedan and limousine), and was restyled once, in 2003, before finally being replaced by the new international model, which now actually tries to be a real rival to established brands from Asia and Europe.
By Andrei Nedelea
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