subject: Chicago Hyundai Dealership Now Offers Ipad With New Hyundai [print this page] Talk about padding a deal! Not only will Hyundai buyers of the 2011 Equus will get the royal treatment, with free home services calls and demonstrations and as a bonus a free Apple iPad. Customers of Chicago Hyundai dealerships will likely be texting in their reservations for a test drive.
A cool side note, with the Apple iPad comes an electronic owners manual. Cant get much more high-tech or cutting edge than that. This is an exclusive with the Equus and Hyundai just keeps rolling out the surprises. The manual will be interactive and dealers hope customers will use the iPad to schedule their service appointments. Perhaps they should just program in the reminders.
Equus has driven us to create an innovative customer experience designed to save our customers time. Says Hyundai CEO John Krafcik. Well use what we learn from Equus to upgrade the customers experience for all Hyundai owners.
The 2011 Equus goes on sale stateside late this summer and will be priced starting at $55,000. Its the most expensive in the Hyundai U.S. line so far and industry experts question how well it will be accepted. Are we ready for a luxury priced economy car? Or should we just think of it as a luxury car thats economical?
Chicago Genesis customers will be glad to know that Hyundai is making the move to a higher-end line. The Equus is actually designed to compete with the likes of Lexus LS and Mercedes Benz S550.
The rear-wheel-drive Equus will be available in two versions. The standard version is currently sold in Korea for between $55,000-$90,000. The long-wheelbase, which has not been confirmed for the U.S. market, is sold in Korea for $120,000-$129,000.
Chicago Hyundai dealership customers will be impressed with the luxury amenities available in the Equus, including a front grille camera to aid with parking, massaging drivers seat and up-scale audio system with 17 speakers. They may not be quite as impressed with the fuel economy, which is estimated at 18 mpg city and 24 mph highway.
The frame for the Equus will be the same as that of the Hyundai Genesis, although the Equus will be 7.2 inches longer. The engine is a ZF six-speed V8, 378 hp auto transmission and features Shiftronic control.
Its sporty, high-tech, luxurious and economic to a degree. Will that offset the luxury price? For loyal customers of Hyundai who have been waiting for a luxury model, I believe it will. Will drivers of other brands try out the Equus? I believe they will as well. For the price, comparatively, it certainly merits a test drive and the pampering services and the iPad-ded deal should be enough incentive to get buyers to the showroom. After that, the car should sell itself.
