Productopia | Luxury Cars

As Hyundai continues the ongoing revamp of its lineup, one of the new models it will add later this year hopes to play in the same sandbox as the likes of Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW. Even five years ago, the thought of this would have been preposterous, but after last year's introduction of the critically well-received Genesis sedan, it's no longer an outlandish proposition.

Yesterday at the 2010 New York Auto Show, the 2011 Hyundai Equus luxury sedan was formally introduced in its U.S.-spec trim (it's already sold in Hyundai's home market, where the Equus nameplate has a well-established history). While the news of Hyundai offering an over-$50,000 luxury sedan is noteworthy on its own, one of the more interesting announcements associated with the car's unveiling surrounded, of all things, its owner's manual. Or, more accurately, its lack of one -- at least in the traditional sense. Tablet mania, you see, has now infiltrated the auto sector.

If you drive a Toyota or Lexus of recent vintage, chances are you'll be receiving a recall notice in the mail to address a serious and potentially dangerous problem in which your car's floormat could interfere with the accelerator pedal, causing the latter to "stick," producing unwanted and unexpected acceleration.

If you drive a Toyota or Lexus of recent vintage, chances are you'll be receiving a recall notice in the mail to address a serious and potentially dangerous problem in which your car's floormat could interfere with the accelerator pedal, causing the latter to "stick," producing unwanted and unexpected acceleration.