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For his last days in office as the President of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias will be sporting a brand new presidential limo - the Hyundai Equus. The all-new Equus is donated by the government of South Korea, in conjunction with Hyundai Motor Company. The car is currently en route to Costa Rica, and is expected to arrive in the country on April 20th.

The new presidential ride for Costa Rica replaces the outgoing Kia Opirus (Amanti) in the country's presidential fleet. The rear-wheel drive flagship model of Hyundai will be given to Arias who is completing his term very soon, and the keys will be handed over later to president-elect Laura Chinchilla.

There are no indications that the Equus for the Costa Rican President is bulletproof like the model designed for the South Korean President.

[Source: Inside Costa Rica]

When the 2011 Hyundai Equus goes on sale this fall, the Korean automaker intends to pamper well-heeled customers and prospects, with free in-home demonstrations and service calls. As a bonus, Equus buyers will get a free Apple iPad, the hot new wireless multimedia tablet, from which they can schedule service appointments and access an electronic owner's manual.

The manual-on-an-iPad appears to be an industry first—part of Hyundai's effort to create an aura of exclusivity around its new flagship sedan.

Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik says the launch of the Equus "has driven us to create an innovative customer experience designed to save our customers time...We'll use what we learn from Equus to upgrade the customer experience for all Hyundai owners."

Krafcik said the electronic owner's manual will be "interactive," but the device also will be a fully functioning iPad. Equus owners can use the device to schedule free service pickup and delivery, as well as free loaners.

[Source: Inside Line - Edmunds]