A Hyundai Equus JS350 sedan, seen in central Beijing in China. The Korean limousine is painted in cream white, and interesting color for the Equus; all the others I have seen so far were black.
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The first generation Hyundai Equus was manufactured from 1999 until 2009 with a facelift in 2003. This black Beijing car is a pre-facelift example. The Equus was developed in tandem with the Mitsubishi Proudia, part of a larger cooperation project between Hyundai and Mitsubishi.
The Equus was only sold in South Korea, the Middle East, and in China. A very few were sold in Europe, where the Equus was badged as Centennial.
There were various engines available: 3.0 V6, 3.3 V6, 3.5 V6, 3.8 V6, and a big ‘n badass 4.5 liter V8. The 3.0 and 3.5 were developed by Hyundai, the other engines by Mitsubishi. Our Equus JS350 has the 3.5 Sigma V6 under the bonnet, good for an output of 200hp and 290nm. Transmission is a five-speed automatic, sending horses to the front wheels.
The V6 badge on the front fender.
Hub caps with the Equus logo.
The interior with lots of luxurious leather and real wood. Small screen for the infotainment. Music system has a CD player and a cassette player.
The first generation Hyundai Equus was officially sold in China, with either the 3.5 V6 or the 4.5 V8. Price started at 472.000 yuan for the V6 and ended at 728.000 yuan for the V8.
It looks so much like a rear-wheel drive car, but it isn’t. Design is very pure and simple, and therefore still attractive today, and possibly classic tomorrow. Very square, very straight; very strong.
Black license plates were issued to foreign owned companies from the 1980’s to the early 00’s. These companies could buy a car locally, and they were also allowed to import their own cars.
In the old days black-plated cars had some privileges comparable to diplomatic cars; no police officer would dare to stop them and they could basically park wherever they wanted without fear of a fine.
Nowadays, a black-plated car is counted just like all the others. The government does not issue new black plates anymore but those who have one can keep it until eternity.
A beautiful Korean sled in Beijing.