A fun car to drive, the all new and recently launched Hyundai Tucson’s athletic shape is now complemented with more agile handling, responsive steering and improved body roll control and these enhancements make it more fun to drive.
Using MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension systems for more precise wheel control and a smoother ride, Tucson’s 2010 all four wheels are controlled by coil springs and fade-resistant gas-charged dampers and at the same time stabiliser bar diameters have also increased.
Front suspension of the new Tucson now has a new 25mm hollow stabiliser bar to save weight versus the predecessor’s 21mm solid stabiliser bar.
The rear suspension has a new 18mm solid stabiliser bar versus predecessor’s 14mm stabiliser bar. Larger stabiliser bars keep the vehicle flat during cornering and help provide quick turn-in response.
Designed at Hyundai’s European studio in Frankfurt, Germany and assembled in Korea, this newest version of the compact CUV is based on the Hyundai ix-ONIC concept that has a fluidic sculpture styling of sleek and sporty looking, enlarged by 85mm for the overall length, 20mm for the overall width and reduced by 20mm for the overall height.
Its exterior style is one of the strongest unique selling points with its outfitted chrome door handles that contribute to the luxury look and is set with a 17-inch alloy wheels that are lighter as compared to steel wheels and there is an optional 18-inch alloy wheels for its high spec version.
The all-new Tucson has a hexagonal grille that gives it a bold and powerful image with head lamps that give exceptional illumination with wrap-around design and it stays on for 30 seconds after turning off the engine and closing the doors and additionally there are also front and rear fog lamps that increase visibility in foggy condition.
Tucson’s interior is fantastically equipped with a roof rack that lets the carriage of cargo on the roof and a panorama sunroof, coming in optional for the high spec version, standard audio system including radio and factory fitted single-disc CD and MP3 player, an AUX plus USB and iPod connection and all this beauty comes with air conditioner that cools the cabin and reduces humidity.
Also featured in its interior is the one-touch triple turn signal that flashes three times with single touch of the Turn Signal lever, a cruise control that reduces fatigue by maintaining set speed and a trip computer, which computes distance to empty, average fuel consumption, average speed and driving time.
With the Gasoline Theta II 2.0-Litre MPI 4-Cylinder or 2.4-litre MPI 4-Cylinder engine, it delivers an incredible horsepower of 166ps with a torque in excess of 20.1kgf.m and 179ps with a torque excess of 23.1kgf.m respectively.
Running on a six-speed manual transmission that can shift pattern designed for ease of use, the overdrive of this transmission also improves fuel economy while the automatic version also has a six-speed automatic transmission providing smooth shifts and both these transmissions come with ISG (idle stop and go) as well as a silent timing chain and Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) that helps driver maintain steering control during emergency braking.
The all-new Tucson also has a five-star rating in EURO NCAP for frontal and side impacts thus easing the minds of drivers and passengers alike when it comes to safety and what is proficient about it is that it has a dual front airbag helping driver and passenger in the frontal impact and it comes with an optional front side and curtain airbags to help protect driver and outboard passengers in side impact.
Body shell of the Tucson has been stiffened by extensive use of ultra-high tensile steel and noise and vibration levels said to be class leading while for the high spec version it comes with optional active front head restraints, helping protect front seat occupants in rear impact and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) that achieves driving safety by actively controlling engine torque and braking as well as helping driver to maintain vehicle control under adverse conditions.
The all new Tucson also operates on a remote keyless entry that locks and unlocks doors using buttons on key fob and there is also an optional smart key with push-button start that locks and unlocks doors and the engine can start without the key.
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