Vauxhall Equus

{{About|the concept car by Vauxhall|the luxury sedan by Hyundai|Hyundai Equus}}

{{Infobox automobile

| image = File:Very 70s... (8355825151).jpg

| caption = Vauxhall Equus (1978)

| name = Vauxhall Equus

| manufacturer = Panther

| production = 1978 (one built)

| class = Concept car

| body_style = 2-door convertible

| related = Panther Lima

| layout = FR layout

| engine = 2.3 L (2,279 cc) OHC Vauxhall I4

| transmission =

| weight =

| assembly =

| designer = Wayne Cherry (design director)

}}

The Vauxhall Equus was a two-door concept car first presented by Vauxhall in spring, 1978.{{cite web|last=Rees|first=Chris|title=Cars we should have been sold|url=http://cars.uk.msn.com/features/images.aspx?cp-documentid=158217809&page=16|work=MSN Cars|access-date=17 June 2013|date=13 June 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130619230456/http://cars.uk.msn.com/features/images.aspx?cp-documentid=158217809&page=16|archive-date=19 June 2013|url-status=dead}} The word equus is Latin for horse. It was the last concept car from Vauxhall for 25 years until August 2003, when the VX Lightning was unveiled at the 2004 Sunday Times Motorshow as part of the centrepiece to the company's centenary celebrations.{{cite web|url=https://www.motortrend.com/news/112_0308_vauxhall_lightning/|title=First Look: Vauxhall Lightning Concept|website=motortrend.com|date=14 August 2003|access-date=15 October 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.am-online.com/news/2004/5/5/vauxhall-at-the-sunday-times-motor-show-live/5963/|title=Vauxhall at the Sunday Times Motor Show live|website=am-online.com|date=5 May 2004|access-date=29 June 2022}}

Specifications

The Equus was based on the chassis of the Panther Lima, which itself was based on mechanicals of the Vauxhall Magnum. Panther built the prototype.{{Cite news|url=https://www.aronline.co.uk/concepts/vauxhall-concepts/concepts-and-prototypes-vauxhall-equus/|title=Vauxhall Equus – the brave sports car that never made it off the ground|date=21 May 2017|work=AROnline|access-date=20 September 2018|language=en-GB}}

Design

The Equus was styled by a team led by Wayne Cherry, along with his chief designer John Taylor. Work started in 1977 and the car was unveiled at the 1978 Birmingham NEC Motor Show. The design brief emphasised the use of parts by Vauxhall whenever possible. It featured an angular wedge design with Vauxhall's signature "droopsnoot" front end, which was initially made popular by the Vauxhall Firenza.{{Cite news|url=https://cardesignnews.com/articles/concept-car-of-the-week/2016/08/vauxhall-equus|title=Concept Car of the Week: Vauxhall Equus (1978) - Car Design News|date=5 August 2016|access-date=20 September 2018}}

References

Equus

Category:Cars introduced in 1978

Category:Cars discontinued in 1978