Local residents get preview of new Hyundai concept car

It has front and rear view cameras, an in-dash six-CD/DVD player and a remote anti-theft system capable of immobilizing its 375 horsepower, eight cylinder-engine. To some auto afficionados, those are simply features. To Hyundai of Auburn owners Bob Buntin and Nick Botta, they represent the not too distant future.
For the past two weeks, that future has been on display in Hyundai of Auburn’s showroom in the form of the Hyundai Equus, a luxury sedan set to make its North American debut in late 2010.
The Equus at Hyundai of Auburn is one of only a handful of the model being displayed in Hyundai showrooms across the country. It is essentially the big brother to the Hyundai Genesis, a slightly smaller sedan that was recently named the North American Car of the Year, according to Buntin. The Equus is being slated as a potential competitor against other luxury vehicles like the Lexus LS 460, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-Series.
The Equus has been available overseas in South Korea and China for a couple of years, Buntin said.
Buntin said customers’ reaction to the Equus has been similar to that of the Genesis, when it first debuted at Hyundai of Auburn.
“One customer currently driving a Genesis, has already says he wants the first Equus we get at our dealership when they become available,” Buntin said.
When the Equus hits U.S. auto markets, it will carry a price tag ranging between $55,000 and $65,000, according to Buntin.
Prior to its two-week stay in Auburn, the Equus was on display at a Hyundai dealership in Montgomery. The next stop for the vehicle will be Tameron Hyundai in Birmingham, according to Hyundai of Auburn Sales Associate David Gamper.