Hyundai Tucson facelift to make Korean debut

Hyundai Tucson facelift 01

First images of the Hyundai Tucson midlife facelift for the Korean domestic market have surfaced on the Korean automaker’s website, and reveal a different styling to the European version facelift introduced in Geneva in March.

The 2013 Korean Tucson, or ix35 as it’s known in some markets, shows a dissimilar front-end styling to the Euro offering, with a large three-slat grille leading the way. The KDM vehicle also has different projector headlamp and fog lamps, and also wears a underpanel skid plate. Also new, the use of soundproof glass for the windshield.

The interior has also been reworked, with a new instrument cluster and attendant 4.2-inch TFT LCD display in the mix. The SUV also gets new LED tail lamps and new design alloy wheels (in 17-inch and 18-inch versions, depending on variant), and nine exterior colours are available.

Tucson facelift 08

Two engine options abound, a 2.0 litre GDi petrol unit offering 166 PS at 6,200 rpm and 205 Nm at 4,000 rpm, and a 2.0 litre e-VGT turbodiesel with 184 PS at 4,000 rpm and 402 Nm at 2,000 to 2,500 rpm. Transmission choices are made up of a six-speed manual or six-speed auto; the three-mode Flex Steer driving system, which offers Normal, Comfort and Sport modes, is also to be found.

For the Korean market, the diesel will be available in both 2WD and 4WD forms, with four model variants (Smart, Smart Special, Modern and Premium) to pick from, while the petrol comes only in 2WD and two trim levels, these being Style and Modern. In Malaysia, the Tucson was updated last November with new features and variants – click here for full info.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • Aftermath on May 07, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    Will SimeDarby bring in the GDI diesel powertrain to Malaysia ??
    Will we will have price cut for car ???

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 3
    • t3nchu on May 08, 2013 at 11:18 am

      This what I call ( moving forward ), but the facelift look similar new santa fe

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
      • Jimmy on May 08, 2013 at 5:02 pm

        Japanese people are feeling the pinch big time. I see so many Tucson on the road and tons of Santa Fe cars. Thanks to the Koreans, these Japanese dungus are now forced to give 5 years too. But only UMW is still giving 3 years.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
    • Sam Loo on May 11, 2013 at 8:42 pm

      Wow, those that bought the current version, no matter how old, oledi lose 15% more than the standard 50% 1st year depreciation

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 21
  • Testcase on May 07, 2013 at 10:40 pm

    Looking good. Looking better.

    Keep up the fantastic work on your exteriors, Hyundai. Next stage or next phase? Improve all suspensions of Hyundai vehicles, to match Toyota, Lexus, and Mercedes Benz.

    For now, great work on your exteriors! Very beautiful.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 7
    • DonkeyKong on May 08, 2013 at 12:44 am

      Their exteriors are beautiful, interior build quality is really getting better (or probably already as good as Japanese cars), engines and powertrains keep getting incremental improvements. Their next major hurdle would definitely be ride and handling. Why not get Lotus to help you guys out? :D

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 6
      • Sexy Sidhu on May 08, 2013 at 12:48 am

        They building Nurburgring test center for that

        http://paultan.org/2013/01/21/hyundai-to-establish-test-facility-at-nurburgring/

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • Lenny on May 08, 2013 at 6:40 am

    I hope it will come with rear aircond vent, please…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • fourwheeler on May 08, 2013 at 7:04 am

    …. nice…shrinking santa fe?…with crdi diesel engine also?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • bernard on May 08, 2013 at 7:55 am

    Get the diesel engine for Malaysia market!!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
  • Hyundai De La Junk on May 08, 2013 at 9:08 am

    Lol.. Ford Mondeo Facial, Toyota Hilux Grill, Ford Fiesta Foglight, Typical Rojak Copycar. lol….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 31
  • Proton boss on May 08, 2013 at 10:24 pm

    Oh! This car is nice,the perdana replacement is not nice.But this look nice last generation Tucson not nice,but now facelift already look nice.When this car launch Malaysia I want to buy this car , when the price is expensive I also want to buy.I am proton boss, when got something need to say or complane please call me . Telephone number:0133291311

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 8
    • Sam Loo on May 11, 2013 at 8:44 pm

      The only nice thing about Korean Cars is the smile on my face when the kimchi owner walk away knowing that their kimchi depreciated beyond their wildest imagination

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 15
  • Model facelift is quick and techno devt rapid. Koreans are growing up while the Japs devt unit still sleeping (or retaining grandpas to conduct design). Beautiful and bold Korean design concept, just wish they retain own DNA like Euro models and reduce the copying like the Japs used to do. Waiting for Sant Fe diesel but this Tucson is mouth-watering to drive.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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