Frankfurt Preview: Hyundai officially teases the new Tucson *UPDATED
by Sam Abuelsamid on Aug 18th 2009 at 8:27AM 
We've been seeing spy shots of the next generation Hyundai Tucson for several weeks, but we now have the first official teaser from the Korean automaker. The new Tucson and a refreshed Santa Fe will both debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, and according to Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore, the shot above was released from the home office in South Korea. Unfortunately, the badging shows two elements we won't be getting in North America: Hyundai has no current plans to offer a diesel in the Stateside Tucson, but on the upside, the automaker won't be spreading its alphanumeric nomenclature to U.S. shores with the European ix35 nameplate.The Tucson was designed at Hyundai's new Frankfurt studio and will launch first in Korea next month, while the European version launches later this fall and then in the U.S. early next year. The Santa Fe will benefit from some styling updates along with powertrain and suspension upgrades, including a rumored direct injected gas engine. More to follow from Frankfurt next month.
*UPDATE: We've just received a pair of official renderings from Hyundai that lend much more definition to the next-gen Tucson crossover. Check them out in the high-res gallery below.
press release
Hyundai to reveal the new European SUV range at Frankfurt Motor Show
Offenbach, August 17th 2009,
Hyundai will strengthen its position as one of the leading brands in the European SUV sector when it presents an all-new addition to the brand's SUV line-up at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. The ix35 joins the C-segment to replace the very successful Tucson, and will receive its world premiere at the Show on the 15th September. Alongside the ix35 will be the significantly-revised Santa Fe, which benefits from a wide range of engineering and cosmetic changes to fine-tune the driving experience and make it even more competitive versus rival D-segment SUVs.
These debutants will reach showrooms during the next six months, enhancing Hyundai's offering in the SUV sector. Throughout the decade Hyundai has regularly ranked among the top five brands for SUV sales in Europe. A strong product range and high levels of customer loyalty boosted the company's share of the European SUV market from 5,6% in 2000 to over 18% by 2002.
Since then Hyundai has consistently demonstrated its strength in the sector, notably in the popular – and growing – C-segment. The Tucson has been a top-10 SUV in this segment since 2004, selling 63.000 units across Europe at its peak and taking over 20% of sales in the class. Its bigger brother, the Santa Fe, has reached similarly high peaks, with 62.000 sales and 16% market share, and has also placed in the segment's top 10 every year since 2004.
"SUVs have been a cornerstone of our success for many years and have helped to raise awareness of the Hyundai brand in Europe," says Allan Rushforth, Vice-President of Hyundai Motor Europe. "With Tucson in particular we have demonstrated our expertise in producing SUVs which not only meet consumer expectations but also help to shape the sector itself."
Mr. Rushforth added, "Building on these strong foundations, we expect to capitalize on the growing market demand for compact SUVs with the introduction of the new ix35 – an efficient, Europe-focused model with real showroom appeal. It will join the ix55 and revised Santa Fe in a new-look range of SUVs, supporting the significant growth in market share we have achieved this year."
The ix35 represents a major step forward for Hyundai in Europe. It is the first SUV to be conceived and engineered in Europe at the company's Frankfurt-based design and technical centers. The newcomer embodies Hyundai's new design language – 'fluidic sculpture' – and carries over much of the confident, sweeping styling of the ix-onic concept car, which starred at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.
The upgrades for Santa Fe include revisions to the powertrain, steering and suspension. Mated to the recently-launched diesel engine, codenamed 'R', these modifications have created a balanced and refined model, well suited to on-road and off-road demands.
Further information about ix35 and the new-look Santa Fe will be announced nearer the time of the Show.
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
henrykrinkle 8:40AM (8/18/2009)
That's a lot of numbers and letters on the back. I never understood why so many mechanical components need to be advertised on the back of cars. If you buy it you know what's in it - it says so right on the sticker. Why does the person driving behind you need to know if you've got a V6, Stability Control, Electronic Fuel Injection or whatever?
Reply
In2uition 8:43AM (8/18/2009)
It's an indirect way to advertise what's available on the car (IMO).
henrykrinkle 8:44AM (8/18/2009)
Another one is ABS. I care if the guy behind me has it - not the guy in front.
Bob-omb 10:22AM (8/18/2009)
ABS/EFI were popular labels on cars like 15 years ago on GM cars to show they were "advanced." Nowadays cars only seem to advertise the size of their engines and 4WD/AWD.
AMcA 9:59PM (8/18/2009)
Outright rip-off of Ford's kinetic styling theme. Note the shape of the main grill opening, and those two openings on the outer edges of the bumpers. Theft, pure and simple.
Seriously, if you'd shown me this, I'd have said it's a new Ford. Perhaps a Fiesta-based crossover, or something like that.
Ford ought to sue.
AJJB 8:46AM (8/18/2009)
So if Bentley "teases" a new modell, we get beautifull dark shots, barely revealing the silouette of the car. If Hyundai wants to do the same, we get a low resolution shot taken with a cellphone in a garage.
Note to self: Never buy a Hyundai...
Reply
Flyingaero 9:05AM (8/18/2009)
What are you talking about? Those are some concept renders and a high quality shot. You wish your phone could take pictures like that
bwzd7p2 9:07AM (8/18/2009)
What in the hell are you nattering about? Two of the pics are renderings, no camera, cell-phone or otherwise, involved. The one of the back of the car is hardly low-res; if you click on the Hi-res button, it has so much detail you can make out the metallic flakes in the paint.
Note to you: learn how to spell "model."
XJ 9:26AM (8/18/2009)
Yes, AJJB. Perfect reason why you should never buy a Hyundai. Your logic is sound.
ConceptVBS 11:47AM (8/18/2009)
AJJB, please for the sake of humanity, never buy an automobile, period.
In reference to the "cell phone pics in garage", those were not "teasers" they were "spy shots" or "leaks" from an Australian film crew or passer-by. Hyundai, a multi-billion dollar entity, has enough money to purchase a photo shoot thank you.
AJJB 3:39PM (8/18/2009)
Hey guys, at the time I wrote my comment, it was just the shot showing the naming scheme. (which in itself is ridiculous if you're going to "tease a car") Then the post was updated, as you can see in the headline, which rendered my comment useless, but I assumed readers here would understand. Same goes for a little bit of irony.
Luckily you guys were able to step in and not only to prove me wrong but to insult me as well. Well done.
happyfun86 8:51AM (8/18/2009)
Looks like the front end of a GT-R and the fenders of a Devon GTX had a baby.
And that second rendering kinda reminds me of the Enclave in some ways.
Reply
Noir 9:41AM (8/18/2009)
FYI, the styling of this car far preceeds that of current GTR and GTX. Your comments should therefore be "Looks like GTR's and GTX's fronts were derieved from this car (and generally from hyundai's HED- concept).
happyfun86 10:22AM (8/18/2009)
Oh, really? Ok, I'll make sure I run my future comments by you first to make sure they're chronologically accurate. Better yet, I'll even send you my login info so you can make proper comments for me.
Seriously dude, pull your head out.
Dev 10:45AM (8/18/2009)
I don't understand why you are all sour and sarcastic. Your comment clearly implies that this hyundai is a copy of both cars you mentioned. Then you naturally get low rating for that, and whine about it. Who should pull his head now?
ConceptVBS 11:50AM (8/18/2009)
happy,
please dont comment next time for the sake of humanity.
gefinley 12:12PM (8/18/2009)
I still maintain it reeks of Ford Kinetic Design, which did come out first. I really don't see any GTR in it.
happyfun86 12:16PM (8/18/2009)
@ Dev:
I didn't have the low rating when I commented last; I was still at 2 stars. And I was unaware that so many people apparently know their recent automobile design history. I guess you gotta be an elite car fan to be able to express your impressions of a car design, eh?
And my "sour and sarcastic" tone is because I don't understand why I'm being told what my post should consist of. That sarcasm was how I chose to react. Aren't both of those things up to me to decide?
Also, I never whined about the low rating. Honestly, I couldn't care less about the rating. It doesn't affect my ability to post, anyway.
Dev 1:40PM (8/18/2009)
"I didn't have the low rating when I commented last; I was still at 2 stars."
Well, you did when I saw your comment :D
"I was unaware that so many people apparently know their recent automobile design history. I guess you gotta be an elite car fan to be able to express your impressions of a car design, eh?"
Unfortunately, yes. Know your facts before posting. If you don't, go search.
"And my "sour and sarcastic" tone is because I don't understand why I'm being told what my post should consist of. That sarcasm was how I chose to react. Aren't both of those things up to me to decide?"
I only commented on how wrong your comment was. I did not say you must conform to my opinions. If you thought the former then that's a significant comprehension impairment on your part. That's why I took your sarcasm unexpected.
"Also, I never whined about the low rating. Honestly, I couldn't care less about the rating. It doesn't affect my ability to post, anyway."
If you tell someone to pull his head out merely because you've been corrected by him on the wrong info you had, then that's irrational if not immature. I call that tantamount to whining because your prior comment clearly denotes how emotionally you are replying, rather than making a sound/reasonable argument.
Alex 8:52AM (8/18/2009)
The Tucson has a lot of Ford's Kinetic design language in it. That could pass as a next generation Kuga.
Reply