Hyundai has staged quite a show at Geneva this year, bringing forth some of the brand’s youngest products in its lineup, of which includes the new ix20 compact MPV, i20 Coupe, i30 and i40 models. The limelight however, goes to the all-new Tucson.
Billed as a highly important vehicle in the European SUV segment, the Tucson makes up for over 22 percent of the company’s sales last year in Europe alone. Europe’s strict emissions parameters have also led Hyundai to introduce a 48V Hybrid Tucson and a Plug-in Hybrid version.
At the launch, Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer for Hyundai Motor Group said the new Tucson is a big step for the brand globally. It dons a bold and athletic design achieved through refined, flowing surfaces, sharp lines and Hyundai’s signature hexagonal grille. Simply put, it looks nothing like the outgoing Tucson, and that’s a good thing.
The headlamps here are distinctively connected to the grille, a design cue also seen on some recent Kia models like the Cerato, new Carnival and the Sportspace Concept. Look slightly towards the lower side of the front bumper you’ll find a horizontal wing-shaped bar that’s accentuated with the LED daytime running lights.
Over to the back, the prominently-cut ‘Z’ character line above the rear wheel arches create a visually sculpted profile. It sits on 19-inch wheels wrapped with 245/45 series Continental ContiSportContact tyres, something we don’t expect Hyundai Sime Darby Motors to offer should it arrive here.
Now, the Tucson’s rear end isn’t as angular as its side profile, although we really like the slender tail lights and squared dual exhaust tips. This C-Segment SUV is new from the ground up, and as such it sits on a brand new platform that seeks to optimise cabin space for passengers. It boasts a cavernous 513 litres of boot space, while the interior gets a generous amount of soft-touch and high quality materials. Ergonomics have also improved, apparently, allowing its driver and passengers to ‘fully enjoy the refined cabin ambience’.
Some of the convenient features to come with the Tucson includes a power tailgate (debuted on the Sonata), keyless entry with push-start ignition, electric parking brake and Smart Parking Assist with parallel and bay parking functions.
Hyundai says that the Tucson will be available with one of the widest engine offerings in its class. This offering is comprised of two gasoline engines and three diesel engines. First off, the Tucson is offered with a turbocharged 1.6-litre T-GDI (172 hp and 265 Nm) paired to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Also available is the 1.6-litre GDI (130 hp) motor and three other diesels – 1.7-litre (113 hp and 280 Nm), 2.0-litre (134 hp and 373 Nm) and another higher tuned 2.0-litre oil burner making 183 horsepower and a staggering 402 Nm of torque.
As for the Hybrid variants, the 48V Hybrid Concept is slated to benefit from the 134 hp 2.0-litre engine paired to a 48 volt lithium-ion battery that weighs 20 kg. Combined output for this hybrid variant is 148 hp and 413 Nm of torque, an increase of 14 hp and 40 Nm from the diesel engine it’s based on. Next, the Plug-in Hybrid Concept comes with an even smaller 1.7-litre diesel engine paired to a 10.7 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. It’s capable of covering a good 50 km in pure electric mode, and power is bumped to 180 hp and 474 Nm of torque.
Safety wise, the Tucson features a raft of active electronic driving aids like Autonomous Emergency Braking System, Lane Keeping Assist System, Rear Traffic Cross Alert, Blind Spot Detection, Speed Limit Information Function and Active Hood System.
The Tucson will be available in 11 different colours when it hits European showrooms – one solid colour, three pearl colours and seven metallic colours. So, what do you think of the new Hyundai Tucson? Will its completely new look entice buyers to lean more towards the Korean wave of good looking cars? Do share your opinions with us in the comments section below!
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