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27 W ednesday , Septem ber 8, 2010 O A KVILLE BEA V ER w w w .o akvillebeaver .co m Watch out Lexus,Audi and Mercedes-Benz Hyundai Equus is read to compete Continued from page 25 I tried to approach the Equus with an open mind half expecting it to feel heavy on the controls and sluggish in some parts of the performance curve, mainly in mid-range speed passing. Its one thing to be the same size a S550 but quite another thing to ride and drive like one. Being Hyundai, they are not behind the curve anymore when it comes to handling and driver aid technology. I spent two days with the car on every kind of road surface imaginable from super high- ways, to backcountry blacktop to a particular stretch of gravel road I know that is festooned with potholes. Electronically controlled air suspension is standard and lets the driver tailored the qual- ity of ride. There are two drive mode settings, Sport and Normal controlled by switches on the centre transmission console. Being a Korean car, the Sport mode was more pillowy than sharp, but I was told Sport would be much firmer for the North American market. Equus is easy to manoeuvre and park thanks to both an audible and visual parking assist feature. Despite its 5.1-metre length, turning was easy with a tight 11.5 m (37.7 ft) turning circle with variable-effort steering assist system. Suspension is by five-link front and rear further enhanced through a Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system that con- stantly monitors road and driving dynamics and adjusts damping force accordingly. The standard 19-inch chrome alloy wheel and tire package with staggered width (P245/45R19 front P275/40R19 rear) tires offer excellent gripping power and precise control. This came through on one very long stretch of undulating road where I would come over a rise and then drop steeply. Although I know the suspension travel was fully compressing and releasing, bottoming out was not an issue. I was probably going too fast but I wanted to see if the air suspension would meet expectations, which it did. Standard features, and there are too many to list here, include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), electronic active head restraints and a lane departure warning sys- tem. Equus even has a Vehicle Stability Management system (VSM) that simultane- ously manages electronic stability control, the electronic parking brake, smart cruise control and the seatbelt tensioning system for optimal safety. There are no less than nine airbags includ- ing advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, roof- mounted side curtain airbags for both front and rear outboard seat occupants and a dri- vers knee airbag. I just loved the front TV camera on the Ultimate model I drove. When activated by a button, it comes on as you slow to a stop from 10 km/h and stays on until you accelerate past 10 km/h. Not only do you get the view straight ahead on the three-part view, but 90 degrees to each side. As noted, the car tested here was Korean spec and there will be detail changes such as the grille which will have horizontal slates similar in shape to that on the Genesis sedan. But on the whole, what I saw and drove is what well get. So it comes down once again to percep- tion and reality. Its a challenge Hyundai has faced before, and if history does repeat itself; watch out Lexus, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. The interior of the 2011 Hyundai Equus features a mix of leathers, plastics and wood that rivals any- thing coming from Europe for quality and fit.