Hyundai released details on its 2013-MY Equus luxury sedan, which features an updated version of the automaker’s 5.0L V-8 “Tau” engine and a new eight-speed transmission. Other upgrades for the 2013 model-year include a new “White Satin” exterior and “Saddle” interior color combination. Other features come from the 2012 model-year edition of the Equus.

The automaker said the updated V-8 features direct injection technology for improved performance, 429 hp, while reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The new eight-speed transmission adds two additional ratios in order to enhance acceleration, shifting smoothness and transmission efficiency by more than 6% compared with the previous six-speed, Hyundai stated.

With the new engine and transmission combination the Equus gets fuel-economy figures of 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined.

For the 2013 model-year, Hyundai offers four exterior colors and three interior themes, with a new color combination, White Satin Pearl with Saddle interior, as an addition to the choices. Also, a new exterior color, Gran Premio Gray, will replace the Granite Gray beginning with September production. Exterior colors include White Satin Pearl, Black Noir Pearl, Granite Gray/Gran Premio Gray, and Platinum Metallic. Interior themes consist of Cashmere with genuine Birch Burl wood, Jet Black with genuine Walnut wood, and Saddle with genuine Walnut wood.

Safety features on the 2013-MY Equus include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), nine airbags, electronic active front head restraints, lane departure warning system and smart cruise control. The vehicle also has a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system that manages ESC, the electronic parking brake, smart cruise control, and the seatbelt tensioning system in order to optimize vehicle safety.

The 2012-MY edition of the Equus was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2013-MY Equus comes in two versions, the Equus Signature and Equus Ultimate. The Equus Signature features the 5.0L V-8 engine, a Lexicon audio system with 17 speakers, electronically controlled air suspension with continuous damping control, Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) with pre-collision warning, Smart Cruise Control, HID headlamps, a front and rear parking assistance system with rearview camera, premium leather seating, a Microfiber suede headliner, a driver seat massage system, heated and cooled front seats, a wood and heated leather steering wheel, among other features.

The Equus Ultimate models add a forward-view parking and cornering camera, a power trunk lid, reclining rear seats with powered headrests, cooled rear seats, a passenger side rear seat massage system and leg support, a rear seat refrigerator and a rear seat entertainment system.