Hyundai is replacing the Equus’ 4.6-liter 385 horsepower V8 with a 5.0-liter V8, also used in Genesis R-Spec sedan. Rated at 429 horsepower, 376 pound-feet of torque, this powerplant comes with a direct injection set up. An eight-speed automatic transmission will also take over for last year’s six-speed.

“The 5.0-liter Equus certainly feels more willing, and in both the flagship four-door and in the Genesis R-Spec we drove recently,” says Motor Authority. “The larger-displacement Tau V-8 sounds a bit richer, with a rounder exhaust note, than the 4.6-liter version.”

Last year’s Equus was able to deliver 0-60 mph times around 6.4 seconds. Though full performance specifications have yet to be divulged from the auto maker, we suspect this car will drop that starting time to under 6 seconds, thanks to the added 44 horsepower.

Hyundai seems to have quite the luxury competitor here, ready to take on models from prestigious car makers who have made leather and horsepower vehicles for decades. One of the hurdles Equus might have to jump is a green one. The car is rated at 15 mpg city, 23 highway. Not bad for a V8 (we’re assuming the direct injection helps) but still no major gas saver.

Hyundai has yet to release pricing information on 2012′s Equus, which should hit dealer lots by October.

Source | Motor Authority

In North America we have a close cousin to Hyundai’s “i” series (i10 & i30) in the Accent & Elantra. Accent has become a big seller with both the cost conscious and lovers of compact cars. Its size (bot Accent’s and i’s) hearkens back to the much loved (yet short lived) Toyota Echo. i20 will come with Hyundai’s i-blue concept – an all new state of the art 1.4 diesel engine, producing 220Nm of torque and CO2 output of just 99g per km, with a fuel consumption averaging 68mpg. i20 will be ready for sale in Europe in the end of 2008, with no release date scheduled in The Land Down Under.

More is coming up from Hyundai Europe and the “i” market. Engineers are working on a new hybrid petrol-electric drive, combining the current 2.4 liter engine and a 30kW electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries – that will (hopefully) give drivers upwards of 44mpg. Also coming up, a hybrid sport utility vehicle – the ix55. Stay tuned!