Two new Tucsons – both with turbocharged diesel engines – have been added to Hyundai’s compact SUV range that became a top-seller in its market segment in South Africa since the local launch of this model earlier in 2016.
The addition of the turbodiesel engines has increased the derivatives in Hyundai’s Tucson range to seven, including the 5 petrol derivatives available since the launch in March.
Originally launched in 2005, the Hyundai Tucson caught the attention of South Africa SUV buyers and became a firm top-seller in the segment for several years when it was followed its successor, the ix35, in 2009.
“The overall total of 56 408 first generation Tucson and ix35 sales is proof of the popularity of Hyundai’s SUV, and since the launch of the new Tucson earlier in 2016 we have sold an average of more than 600 units per month. That puts us firmly in the top position in this market segment,” says Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
“The Tucson turbodiesels – launched at a very competitive price and with a comprehensive standard package – will certainly add a further boost to Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s sales and to its positive brand image. It is a welcome expansion of our range at a time when our automotive market is under pressure.”
One of the turbodiesel derivatives – on the Executive specification level – is powered by a new 1,7-litre engine that conforms to Euro 6 regulations for clean emissions and delivers 85 kW maximum power at 4 000 r/min. and 280 Nm peak torque between 1 250 and 2 750 r/min. Power is transferred to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.
The other Tucson turbodiesel derivative is equipped with a full range of standard features at the Elite specification level and uses a 2-litre Euro 2 engine that delivers 131 kW maximum power at 4 000 r/min., and 400 Nm torque between 1750 and 2 750 r/min. A six-speed automatic transmission transfers power to the front wheels.
The turbodiesel duo have been added to the Hyundai Tucson petrol engine derivatives that range from the entry-level Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Premium with either a manual 6-speed gearbox or automatic 6-speed transmission, to the range-topping Hyundai Tucson 1.6 TGDi Elite (turbocharged petrol engine) with the 7-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (7DCT) and All-Wheel Drive.
In between lies the Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Nu Elite, also with the 2-litre petrol engine and automatic 6-speed transmission, but with a high level of standard features. One step down in terms of standard features is the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 TGDi Executive, also with the new turbocharged 1,6-litre petrol engine, but with a manual 6-speed gearbox. The Executive offers a level of comfort and standard features that fits in between the Premium and Elite offerings.
The launch price of the new Tucson 1.7 Executive Turbodiesel (manual gearbox) is R439 900, while the Tucson R2.0 Elite (with an automatic gearbox) sells for R519 900.
ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS
The two turbodiesel engines take their place next to the naturally aspirated 2-litre petrol engine and turbocharged 1.6-litre T-GDI petrol engine that was introduced with the Tucson in March in South Africa.
The new Tucson 1.7 Executive Turbodiesel is built in Hyundai’s modern factory in the Czech Republic. A cylinder block with a weight reduction of 5 kg, an improved 2 000 bar high-pressure fuel injection system, and a Lean NOx Trap (LNT) catalytic converter makes this advanced turbodiesel an excellent choice for fuel-efficient, yet powerful driving. The maximum torque, 280 Nm, can be delivered from a low 1 250 r/min.
This engine employs an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system that, together with the LNT catalytic converter, results in cleaner exhaust gases and a CO2 emissions figure of 124 g/km. Average fuel consumption on a combined test cycle was measured at 6,8 litres per 100 km.
The 1,7-litre turbodiesel is paired with a smooth six-speed manual gearbox which drives the car through the front wheels.
The 2-litre diesel engine, in the Elite derivative that is imported from South Korea, is also equipped with a turbocharger that enables it to deal particularly well with the oxygen-starved Highveld and other high-lying and mountainous areas in South Africa.
It delivers 131 kW at 4 000 r/min., and its torque delivery peaks at an impressive 400 Nm from 1 750 to 2 750 r/min. Its CO2 emissons was measured at 175 g/km. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox with a torque converter.
DESIGN
Bold and athletic exterior creates unique SUV appearance
The Tucson design concept incorporates a sleek, urban style combined with the strong ruggedness typical of an SUV.
“Design expresses our progressive spirit and passion, and it is transforming our brand. The All-New Tucson has a distinctive and athletic presence achieved through refined, flowing surfaces, bold proportions, sharp lines and most importantly, our newest generation hexagonal grille – our brand signature,” says Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer at Hyundai Motor Group.
Exterior
The front of the Tucson is dominated by the hexagonal grille, which connects with the LED projection headlamps to create a distinctive identity. The headlamps feature static bending to the direction that one is travelling in a curve in the road.
A wing-shaped horizontal bar at the front bumper, which incorporates the LED daytime running lights, gives the car a unique style and provides a visual reference for the car’s wide track. Its looks is further enhanced by a silver skid plate and two-tone bumper.
At the rear, the Tucson’s personality is reinforced by strong horizontal lines flowing from the wheel arches. The LED combination lights and reflectors are stretched to the body edges to further underline the bold proportions, with the rear skid plate and twin exhaust outlet (in the 2.0 Elite derivative) adding a sporty touch.
The Tucson 1.7 Executive Diesel (manual) has 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Tucson 2.0 Elite (automatic) runs on 18-inch alloy wheels.
Refined interior combines elegance with ergonomics
The Hyundai interior design team’s objective was to ensure that potential buyers will be instinctively impressed by the cabin’s space and the attention paid to the smallest details.
Inside, soft-touch, high-quality materials are used across the cabin surfaces, creating a refined cabin ambience. The new horizontal layout of the centre console conveys the car’s elegance while increasing the feeling of roominess.
Sophisticated exterior and interior colour palette
The Tucson is offered with a range of ten exterior colours, comprising one solid (Polar White), four metallic (Platinum Silver, Ara Blue, White Sand and Milky Tea) and five pearl colours (Ash Blue, Ultimate Red, Phantom Black, Micron and Pepper Grey).
Borh turbodiesel derivatives come with the Oceanids Black interior package, including leather seats and a leather-covered multifunction steering wheel.
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
A number of clever convenience and connectivity features add refinement to the cabin and enhance the on-board experience.
Front seats feature long seat cushions and comes with electric power adjustment for the driver and front passenger in the Elite derivatives, and two-way electric powered lumbar support for the driver’s seat.
Generous space from efficient packaging
The new Tucson is built on a completely new platform that offers generous interior dimensions. There is an excellent exterior-to-interior dimension ratio, continuing the Hyundai tradition for highly efficient packaging.
With all seats upright, the roomy luggage area is 1 030 mm wide, 889 mm deep and 806 mm tall, delivering up to a substantial 513 litres of capacity. This can be increased to a maximum of 1 503 litres with the rear seats folded. Practicality is boosted by a lower trunk-sill height, two-level trunk floor and a stowable cargo cover.
Convenience and connectivity features are tailored to customer needs
The interior has been ergonomically designed to enable intuitive operation. The instrument cluster has been positioned towards the windscreen for excellent visibility and minimum distraction. The A-pillar has been engineered to reduce blind-spot width by 6 mm compared to the previous model, with visibility from the lower side window increased by 37 mm. In the Elite derivative a panoramic sunroof adds to the airy feel, providing 30% wider opening than before.
Both turbodiesels have electric adjustment for the driver and front passenger seats; a dual zone automatic climate control system; air vents for rear passengers; glove box cooling; cruise control with buttons on the steering wheel; and a rear view camera with display in the rear view mirror.
The centre console of the Tucson features a sound system with Bluetooth connectivity than enables music to be streamed from a smartphone or iPod, and connecting with a cell phone with the added comfort and safety feature of steering wheel operating buttons.
Both derivatives are fitted with a sound system with a 3,8-inch display screen as standard equipment. A new seamless DAB+ digital radio with six audio speakers is standard across the Tucson range. Further connectivity is provided through USB and AUX connections for iPod in the centre console, or music can be streamed through a Bluetooth connection.
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