Hyundai-Sime Darby
Motors (HSDM) has posted up a teaser for a new model on its Facebook page. “We
will be unveiling a heartthrob vehicle. It will be a trend-setter with its
slick design and upgraded features,” the caption for the mystery SUV reads.
Now, while there
are a couple of new Hyundai SUVs due for local introduction, including the new
Santa Fe and Kona crossover, this upcoming SUV in question is the facelifted
Hyundai Tucson – the face, specifically the outline of the sharp new
trapezoidal grille, gives its identity away.
Unveiled at the
2018 New York International Auto Show in March, the Tuscon facelift sports only
minor exterior updates, but the dashboard top is new – an unusual move for a
mid-life refresh. The new cabin follows the style of the new fourth-gen Santa
Fe, with a double-curve architecture and a floating touchscreen head unit
sitting above now horizontal central air vents – previously, they were all in
one row along with the instrument panel.
In the US, the
Tucson facelift is powered by 2.0L and 2.4L naturally aspirated engines, with
164 hp/205 Nm and 181 hp/237 Nm respectively. The latter replaces the 1.6L
turbo unit there, while both are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Other markets will still get the 174 hp 1.6L T-GDI petrol (six-speed manual or
seven-speed dual-clutch auto, FWD and AWD available) and turbodiesels.
In Europe, the 186
PS turbodiesel gets a 48-volt mild hybrid system, as seen on the Kia Sportage
facelift. It consists of a mild hybrid starter generator, a low-voltage DC/DC
converter, an inverter and a 0.44 kWh lithium-ion battery, and provides an
electric boost of up to 16 hp under hard acceleration.
