Indian Autos blog

If there is one manufacturer that has been insanely bullish in the recent months, Hyundai is the name. The company just has been dropping bomb after bomb of good products in India. It all started with the new i10 which showed us a glimpse of the new design language. Then came the Verna showing us the full monty. Santa Fe and EON also joined the battle along with the Avante, i20 facelift and the i45 sedan spotted around the country.

The car that India will expect next is the new Tucson/ix35. At the Santa Fe launch in Udaipur last year, a top Hyundai official said they had no plans for a second SUV and the ix35 not being a seven seater was viewed as a drawback.

The new Tucson was unveiled in the August of 2010 sporting a 2.0L Theta II gasoline engine (166 horsepower) and the 2.0L R-diesel engine (184 horsepower) mated to a new 6-speed automatic transmission. The petrol was available with two wheel drive and the diesel was available in both two and four wheel drive configurations.

Mahindra’s XUV500 mostly definitely exposed the potential of the SUV market in India. Having told the media that it wants to play across segments, Hyundai is secretly cringing on the fact that it does not have an SUV in a 10 – 15 lakh price bracket. With Ford and Renault preparing for SUV onslaught in the Indian market, Hyundai cannot fold its hands and watch.

Some say the new Hyundai Tucson/ix35 will come to the Auto Expo

A popular business channel on Indian television suggests Hyundai will display the new Tucson/ix35 at next year’s Auto Expo. Hyundai offered the first generation Tucson in India with 2.0-liter engine, but with little success. Around the world, the Tucson is thought of as a hugely successful SUV selling in millions.

Hyundai is coming with cars like the Genesis Coupe to the Expo, which are meant to be show cars. The Tucson could also be such an exhibit, but its absence in the SUV market for such a long period raises doubts on its introduction.

Hyundai would have learnt quite a few lessons selling the Tucson. Would they hand the Tucson another chance here in India? Or should I put it this way – Will the Indian customer give Tucson, the latest generation which has everything going for it, another chance to make a mark?

click through to view the Hyundai Tucson/ix35 Image Gallery

The Hyundai ix35/Tucson with more lines on its body than a Bengal Tiger, is casting spells at the Hyundai stall in this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. It bears no resemblance to the outgoing model, indicating its strong departure, despite the model occupying the top slot in terms of sales in Europe’s SUV category.

We’ve shown you enough spy shots and renderings of the next generation Tucson, so its time to enjoy exclusive images brought to you right from the show.

And don’t forget to check out the press release after the break which is loaded with all the information regarding the vehicle.

Our close follower from Korea, Park, emailed us an official shot of the upcoming Hyundai Tucson/ix35. The newest crossover from the Hyundai stable was photographed last week in Australia while Ad filming.

The new Tucson could be the first car from Hyundai to feature a double clutch six speed transmission. The ix35 represents a charismatic departure from the older car and it will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Show next month.

Fully covered test mules of the next generation Tucson have been spotted testing numerous times in the past, and it was known back then that a 2009 Frankfurt Show appearance was on the cards.

Recently in Australia, an eagle eyed viewer was quick to pull out his phone and have a go at a Hyundai SUV that was similar to none other in the existing line-up. What he caught was a fully undisguised shot of the next generation Hyundai Tucson on its commercial filming in Sydney.

To me, the Hyundai ix35/Tucson is faithful to its concept. The boomerang LED indicator lamps have not made it to the production car, but overall, it is way better than many of the other cars of today, which have cheated the concept in every possible corner.

Hyundai’s new hexagonal grille treatment might not amuse those Germans who spent years actualizing it on the next generation A8 and future Q3.

Hyundai marked its presence earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show with the release of the ix-onic concept, which this car is based upon. In several countries, it will roll out of production lines with the “ix35″ badge. At this point we’re not sure if the Tucson badge would be used after all.

The ix35 could be the first car from Hyundai to feature their new double clutch six speed transmission. The ix35 represents a charismatic departure with technology and breakthroughs adorning the outside and under-hood.

We think only after its debut at the Frankfurt show can Indians expect any kind of an announcement. For now, you’ve got to do only with a blurry image.

Hyundai is getting ready with a whole fleet of designs. They are planning to bring out new face-lifted editions or the next generation models into the market in the near future.

To begin with they have the i20 mini MPV. This is being designed by the Hyundai’s European Design Centre at Russelsheim (Germany). It is likely that the i20 MPV shares its platform with the Kia YN minivan, showcased at Geneva Auto Show.

read through for all details

Ahead of its Geneva Motor Show launch, Hyundai has released a rendering of the HED-6, a new crossover SUV that, the automaker says, previews an “entirely new look to Hyundai’s SUV lineup.” The HED-6 Concept, which will preview the replacement for the Tucson SUV, is expected to be called the iX35 in Europe. This concept has been styled at the company’s European Design headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

Well you might be thinking that the Honda CRV or the Chevrolet Captiva would make the obvious choice to satisfy your urban SUV job while the Endeavour and Pajero do well to do off-road duties. But we are forgetting the point. People in India seldom use their car for off-roading and that’s the reason why the car-like CRV and Captiva manage to sell so well.

The Hyundai Teraccan was here for a while and didn’t quite manage to steal the show nor it’s drivers’ hearts and the case is more or less the same with the Hyundai Tucson as well.

The Tuscon came with a good 2.0 CRDi engine and decent specifications, comfort and a good price. Still, people might just want that extra bit more from a badge that doesn’t quite offer as much as a Honda does.

To make matters worse, the Outlander is here as well. This is the reason why Hyundai was planning to discontinue the Tuscon from the Indian market. So, it is vital for Hyundai to make its cars very exciting and the new Tuscon and Sonata/i40 need to be just that.

click through for more spyshots