Hyundai Equus to be offered in bulletproof spec

In political circles, what you drive -- or more accurately, what you're driven in -- matters. For proof, look no further than the custom-built, tank-like Cadillac that President Obama is chauffeured in. Could you imagine the Commander-in-Chief riding around in the back of an automobile carrying a German logo? Unfathomable. But in Korea, its common practice for politicos to be driven in vehicles built abroad since no domestic automakers offer a bulletproof, executive-class vehicle... yet.

Korean President Lee Myung-bak has apparently requested that Hyundai rectify that unfortunate situation by manufacturing a bulletproof sedan for key governmental figures. The new sedan is currently in development and will reportedly be based on the upcoming Equus large car platform. Until this new vehicle is ready, President Myung-bak will make do with his current fleet, which consists of the Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard and the BMW Security 760Li.

[Source: Digital Chosun Ilbo]

Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon, convertible coming to Frankfurt

Now that the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan has been unveiled and the E-Class Coupe's debut is scheduled for the rapidly approaching Geneva Motor Show, news has arrived that the model range will be completed with wagon and convertible versions at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. Shortly after the show, the wagon should go on sale, with the droptop expected to follow right in time for winter to hit in November.

So far, there's no information on powertrain options, but we'd expect both the practical wagon and the cabriolet to share a similar range of engines as the rest of the lineup – including the frugal turbodiesel four cylinder wearing the CDI BlueEFFICIENCY badge and the big 388-horsepower V8 in the E500.

[Source: Automotive News]