Late last year, Hyundai Sime Darby Malaysia (HSDM) announced that the company will be introducing a turbocharged Tucson to the line-up. Six months down the road, the third-generation Tucson T-GDI is finally available for purchase.
Motivation comes from a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged Gamma Direct Injection (T-GDI) engine that pushes out 175 hp and 265 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front-wheel via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that is developed in-house.
If this setup sounds familiar, that’s because the Veloster turbo and Elantra Turbo Sport adopts the same formula. Drivers can further spice up the driving experience via the Drive Mode selector, cycling between Eco, Normal and Sport.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Hyundai Tucson 2.0L Elegance | Hyundai Tucson 2.0L Premium | Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDI |
| Engine | 1,999cc; 4-cylinder Nu MPI | 1,591cc; 4-cylinder turbocharged direct injection | |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | 7-speed dual-clutch | |
| Max Power | 153 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 175 hp @ 5,500 rpm | |
| Max Torque | 192 Nm @ 4,000 rpm | 265 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,500 rpm | |
| Price (OTR without insurance) | RM129,990.87 | RM142,632.60 | RM145,588 |
Visually, the Tucson T-GDI gets all the kit available on the Tucson Premium. Standard features include LED projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, fog lamps, LED combination tail lamps and power folding door mirrors with integrated turn signals. Only way to tell the turbo variant apart are the turbo badge at the rear and newly designed 17-inch alloys. HSDM is offering optional body kit and 19-inch alloys for those who want a sportier look for their Tucson.
Inside, it gets the same equipment as the Premium variant – leather upholstery, powered driver’s seat, multifunctional steering wheel, cruise control, electronic parking brake with auto hold, 8.0-inch Android based touchscreen infotainment system and 4.2-inch TFT LCD display. The T-GDI gets additional front camera and smart powered tailgate. Like the rest of the range, customers can spice up their interior with red or white theme.
Safety equipment reads six airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Down-hill brake control (DBC) and Hill-Start Assist Control (HSAC).
All purchase of the Hyundai Tucson come with a 5-Years or 300,000 km warranty package and a 3-Years or 50,000 km free service. A 24-hour road assist service is also available now for new and existing Hyundai vehicles. The Tucson Premium (previously known as Executive) was our SUV top pick and with the introduction of the T-GDI engine, it perhaps solve its only shortcoming. Now, has anyone seen the turbodiesel?
IMAGE GALLERY
Hyundai Tucson 2.0L Executive
