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Mike Sinclair18 Feb 2015
NEWS

Hyundai unveils new Tucson

Replacement for Hyundai's mid-size ix35 crossover gets a new hatch-derived look, a new platform and a new name

Next-generation styling, a new chassis architecture, a choice of petrol, turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel powertrains, and elevated levels of connectivity are the highlights of the new Hyundai Tucson.

Unveiled in the brand’s first-ever global reveal in Berlin overnight, the Tucson replaces the ix35.

The all-new mid-size SUV will go on sale in Australia in late July 2015, featuring an all-new body with styling that both links the model with its larger Santa Fe stablemate and injects a dose of hatchback.

Despite rumours to the contrary, the Tucson has stayed a five-seat affair. Overhangs are short and the brand’s new hexagonal front grille takes pride of place, so too sculptured LED headlights and DRLs (daytime running lights) “to create a distinctive identity”, says the company.

“The all-new Tucson has a bold and athletic presence achieved through refined, flowing surfaces, bold proportions, sharp lines and most importantly, our newest generation hexagonal grille -- our brand signature,” Hyundai Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer said at the vehicle’s unveiling.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) announced the return of the Tucson nameplate a week ago at the launch of the new-generation Sonata.

Like the medium car, the Tucson is a global model and therefore now sports a ‘traditional’ model name. In future, only Eurocentric models will feature alpha-numeric monikers, the company says.

Under the new skin is platform that’s claimed to be all new -- the wheelbase is longer but overhangs and height have been trimmed.

With shades of Mercedes’ move to build the GLA soft-roader from the A-Class, the new Tucson is very hatch-like in its profile. But make no mistake: it’s clearly bigger than the car it replaces.

At 2670mm, the Tucson’s wheelbase is 30mm longer than the outgoing ix35's and a similar stretch over key competitors' such as Toyota’s RAV4 and Subaru Forester. Of the top-sellers only arch-rival Mazda’s CX-5 (2700mm) is rangier.

Overall length has also grown in the generational change (at 4475mm, the Tucson is 65mm longer than the ix35) yet in keeping with the above styling comments, the Hyundai is the shortest of the crop. It arrives a significant 65mm shorter that CX-5, almost 100mm shorter than RAV4 and 120mm shorter than Forester.

Width is up on the iX35 (+30mm), making it wider than all of the aforementioned competitors, but the car is lower overall -- 35mm lower than the ix35 and almost 100mm lower than the tallest of our comparison set, the Subaru.

Hyundai claims 513 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place but doesn’t specify the measurement standard. Assuming we’re comparing apples with apples that’s almost 50 litres more than the ix35 and a handy 110 litres up on the Mazda. Only the RAV4 claims more at 577 litres.

Both all-wheel drive and front-drive variants will be offered with the new generation vehicle, although no detailed local model line-up has been announced.

Powertrains are confirmed, however. Top-spec all-wheel drive Australian models will be powered by the choice of a new 130kW turbocharged 1.6-litre direct-injected petrol engine matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox or a range-topping 135kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with six-speed auto box.

A price-leading six-speed manual front-drive variant powered by 2.0-litre direct-injected naturally-aspirated petrol engine will also be retained.

Like the outgoing ix35, Aussie Tucsons will be sourced from both Europe and Korea. And like its Sonata stablemate, Aussie Tucsons will benefit from substantial local suspension and steering tuning. HMCA has confirmed prototype Tucsons are already being tested and tuned Down Under.

Cabin comfort is claimed to take a step up in the new Tucson -- not just in terms of extra room but also materials and aspects such as front seat design.

“As well as introducing new soft-touch, high-quality materials across the cabin surfaces, the interior has undergone extensive ergonomic testing to ensure ease of use and a pleasant and sensuous experience,” Hyundai claims.

Special interior finish options will be offered to further separate the Tucson from its predecessor.

Convenience features will include heated and ventilated front seats, a smart powered tailgate (which opens as the key-holder approaches) and an auto-parking system with both parallel and bay parking functions.

Expected to gain high marks from Euro NCAP, the new Tucson is a step-change in terms of safety. An Autonomous Emergency Braking system (AEB) with three operation modes (pedestrian, city and inter-urban) will be offered on the vehicle along with a pro-active Lane Keeping Assist System and an active bonnet to help reduce pedestrian injuries.

Other systems available will include Rear Traffic Cross Alert, Blind Spot Detection and a Speed Limit Information Function. It’s not clear which of the above systems will make it into Australian-spec cars.

HMCA has promised, however, that new Tucson will move the brand on in terms of connectivity. The new soft-roader is expected to be the first HMCA model to feature CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. This should translate to the whole range being nav-capable, as well as allowing passengers to use Google Voice and iOs Siri functionality for messaging, call initiation and other tasks.

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