New Tucson gets local provider excited

Striking new design, heaps of new tech, a hybrid to match the RAV4 and a seven-seater option.

 POTENTIAL that Hyundai’s best-selling model here might emulate its big brother and format in a seven-seat option is not being discounted by its seller.

 In offering comment about the 2021 Tucson unveiled for global scrutiny (via a livestreamed online presentation) by Hyundai head office in Seoul today, the make’s national distribution has indicated it is giving consideration to taking the car in a new long-wheelbase format – that avails a third seating row – in addition to continuing with a five-chair layout that continues into a fourth generation.

The potential for the longer version – which measures 4630mm in length (so up 150mm on the short wheelbase), 1865mm in width (plus 15mm) and 1665mm in height (up 5mm), riding on a 2755mm (plus 85mm) wheelbase – is not being discussed by Hyundai New Zealand, though it has reminded that Tucson already strikes a strong chord with Kiwis, the model having achieved 23,000 sales since the nameplate arrived in 2004. 

Brand boss Andy Sinclair says he expects “the new model to attract even more customers with its striking new design and safety, comfort and convenience technology.”

Any decision will surely have to be fast-tracked if both are intended to be available for local usage from local launch, as Hyundai New Zealand says it intends to have the new model line here in the first quarter of 2021.

In addition to relaying its thought about the seven-seater, the Auckland-domiciled distributor has also said it will also look at a new N Line trim level the maker has also revealed.

As for powertrains?  It’s also casting an eye over the mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid options that are also coming into production, these based around a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine and producing a combined 171kW/350Nm.

New generations of the familiar 1.6-litre turbo petrol, 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol and 2.0-litre diesel turbo, now selling under a Smartstream designation, are also cited. The first might now receive a pump up from 130kW to 145kW, as per the Kona. Outputs for the latter are 122kW/205Nm (petrol) and 136kW/400Nm (diesel). 

What of the new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 141kW and 246Nm? Sorry, no comment on that one.

The model will continue to avail in both front and all-wheel drive. The latter this time adds mud, sand and snow modes to the comfort, sport and eco-driving modes. The derivatives heading here seem set to have ride and handling tuning sorted by Hyundai Australia’s engineering team.

It’s heavily loaded on the safety front. Aids available include Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with pedestrian detection, Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Blind-Spot View Monitor, Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Advanced Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop and Go, Safe Exit Warning (SEW), Surround View Monitor, Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (RPCA), Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA), High Beam Assist (HBA) and Driver Attention Warning (DAW). 

Tucson’s new exterior styling is bound to raise plenty of comment. Hyundai says it expresses an evolving Sensuous Sportiness design identity and embodies what its designers call ‘parametric dynamics’ with “kinetic jewel surface details that emphasises Tucson’s distinctly different identity in a crowded segment.” Translation? There are a lot of sharp edges.

It fronts up boldly, too: The grille is filled with LED lights which only reveal themselves when illuminated. The rear will also make an impressive; it has a connected LED light bar sitting across the beltline and joining two clawed LED taillights.

The interior also seems set to be a lot more plush and futuristic. Most ‘hard’ controls, such as dials and buttons, are gone. So too the gearstick.

The top treatment features a centre console stack flowing as one continuous design piece with flush buttons and a wide 10.25-inch digital touch display screen. It has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and an optional Bose sound system. The cabin ambience is set with a 64-colour mood lighting system with 10 levels of brightness.

Digital technology includes a key that uses a smartphone app to operate commands such as locking and unlocking the car, using Near Field Communication to detect authorised users from up to 27 metres away. In some markets the smart key can be tuned to control smart appliances at home (as you do) and  driven remotely without anyone in the driver’s seat – albeit very slowly and basically for parking purposes.

New Tucson, updated Kona revealed

Two models that deliver decent sales for Hyundai here will arrive next year with big changes.

MEDIA effort to unofficially unveil the next generation Tucso, releasing in 2021, appears to have compelled Hyundai to release some images that give an idea of what we’re in for.

Two photographs that give away some aspect of the exterior – and reveal the lighting array it delivers – and an illustration that gives an idea of how the cabin will look, though without fine detailing, were sent out today.

They seem to be in response to media speculation that has elevated to some well-known sites running their own renderings, that have relied using recent spy photos of prototypes – and taking the stylised Vision T concept that the brand put on show last year – as pointers to how the production model will eventually appear in its street-ready stage.

The official images enforce what Hyundai has made clear: That the next Tucson is a fresh start from the 2015-born current car that will debut an edgy new style, based on the brand’s latest design theme, which it calls ‘Parametric Dynamics.’ This direction also ties to another new catchphrase starting to weave into marketing materials - 'Sensuous Sportiness'.

Overseas’ commentators have reacted strongly to the idea of a Tucson with the new signatures of sharp creases and folds slicing through the body, plus large boxy guards and arches. The grille design, dubbed ‘parametric-jewel pattern', and those LED-lit front lamps are a big statement; so too the forked taillamp design and the (also LED-lit) light band across the tailgate.

Lots more has yet to be announced, of course. The drivetrain selection is still under wraps, but is expected to debut a plug-in hybrid working, as per the concept’s, as one of the options. An international media event - all online, of course, thanks to Covid - could well unwrap more information.

However, Hyundai NZ has already said it expects to see the car in early 2021. 

“Tucson is Hyundai New Zealand’s top selling model, so needless to say we’re excited about the arrival of the all-new model,” says general manager Andy Sinclair.

This is the second tranche of Hyundai SUV news this week, following the release of detail about the redesign coming for the smaller Kona, with the most obvious change being a fresh nose, though behind this will be found revised engines. The updated models also take upgraded technology. They are set to arrive in the first quarter of 2021.

News of a sporty N line trim leve, presented here by the orange car, will also likely enthuse, though nothing yet about the full-out N performance edition that has been spied undergoing testing, notably at Germany’s Nurburgring where Hyundai’s performance division has a base.

Hyundai NZ says full details of its model line up and specification will not be announced until closer to launch, however Sinclair is in optimistic mood.

“Kona has proved to be a popular model … since we launched it in 2017. We’re excited by the enhancements … and are confident its popularity will continue to grow along with the addition of the N Line.“ 

So, what’s coming? In standard trim - represented by the blue car - the facelifted Kona gets a new wider front grille with a larger lower air intake, slimmer headlights and LED daytime running lights, plus a restyled front bumper with contrasting silver bodywork trim.

The rear features minor changes limited to a redesigned bumper and tweaked lights. New 17- and 18-inch alloy wheel designs also feature.

The N Line trim adds a sportier looking front bumper with wider front fins and a deeper front spoiler with black contrasting trim. It also gets three small air intakes on the nose, colour-matched bodywork cladding, 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, and a restyled rear bumper with a diffuser and twin-exhaust pipes.

The interior has undergone minor changes, with the addition of ambient interior lighting, a restyled centre console that houses the electronic handbrake switch, and aluminium trim on the air vents and speaker grilles. Heated rear seats are on the international options list, and rear passengers get a USB charging port.

The N Line model gets aluminum pedals and red contrasting trim on the seats, gearstick, steering wheel and air vents.

A new 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster arrives, probably just for the high-end editions. The standard infotainment touchscreen is now eight-inches in size, and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A largest touchscreen features live parking assistance, and is capable of supporting multiple Bluetooth connections via a split-screen function.

Updated safety technology includes the addition of Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, which alerts the driver if the vehicle in front begins to move without the driver responding. A new Lane Following Assist function has also been added, which automatically keeps the car in the centre of the lane while driving. The car’s smart cruise control has been updated to full stop and go functionality, and the blind spot assistance now features collision avoidance.

No details have been shared about the drivetrains.

Diesel only for Sorento’s start

Kindred Koreans the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe remain in a race to reach New Zealand. Which will be first with a breakthrough hybrid drivetrain?

Europe has first dibs on these Kia Sorento hybrids heading down the production line.

FACTORY determination to give Europe priority means headline-making high-tech hybrid petrol drivetrains will not include on the launch menu for Kia’s Sorento here.

This has been made clear in additional information provisioned in the wake of a recent media update about the car from the New Zealand distributor.

The extra comment confirms the model’s local release is running late, as result of the factory having retuned production to favour larger more important, left-hand-drive markets, but also reiterates the model will be here before year-end, though in respect to actual timing the only comment is “fourth quarter.”

Nonetheless, Kia NZ opened the order book on August 3 and has advised potential customers to lodge their interest on a dedicated web channel. 

The Auckland-sited make has not discounted getting the hybrid powertrains, according to the information received, but when is not clear. 

“The hybrid only just went into production recently in Korea and Europe has first dibs of initial supplies.”

The petrol-electric units format in mild and plug-in recharged formats and marry to a 1.6-litre petrol engine, and Hyundai New Zealand is also chasing them for Sorento’s sister ship, the Santa Fe, which is also arriving here soon in an altered 2021 guise.

the updated Sorento (above) and Sante Fe (below) move to a new platform and adopt fresh technologies.

The hybrids give the brands opportunity to retire the long-serving 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine but the cars still configure with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, though the latter has not featured in the NZ spec for some time.

The conjoined brands international view is that the hybrid units have potential to ultimately become the key choice for the seven-seater sports utilities, on strength of their performance and efficiency.

In June Hyundai New Zealand’s boss, Andy Sinclair, expressed particular enthusiasm for the powertrains, seeing them as a key factor in elevating Santa Fe’s status, particularly as a foil for the Toyota Highlander, which will become a hybrid model when it arrives in a new generation next year.

“We’d definitely take hybrid. I think it is very important to give our customers a choice,” Sinclair said at the time.

 The Sorento and Santa Fe still continue with the 2.2-litre turbodiesel that’s been the core choice for the past three generations of both lines. It has a new fuel injection system and improved internal components, which help to reduce the engine’s friction and improve fuel economy. Power is 148kW and torque stands at 440Nm.

It mates to a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, called Smartstream. A video about how this operates is attached today. 

The information relating to Kia’s strategy also says it has been affected by supply constraints from the ongoing effects of Covid19 that are being shaken out. 

“So shortages of some models are inevitable, but Kia is working hard to smooth these out.

“The run-out of current Sorento is going well and should be pretty well exhausted as the new model arrives, so timing shouldn’t be too much of an issue there. Always a bit of a balancing act, regardless of the market conditions.”

The new Sorento marketing programme that started on Monday is to build awareness of the new model ahead of its arrival and elicit forward orders, much like Kia did very successfully with the Seltos last year, the information states. 

the hybrid drivetrain, seen here in a Sorento, is a big pitch by the conjoined Korean makes.

The 1.6-litre is the smallest-capacity engine yet for the Santa Fe and Sorento yet is hardly a weakling, being turbocharged. Though efficiency data has yet to be released, its maker – Hyundai, of course - has indicated a huge improvement in respect to economy and emissions. 

The unit has been designed expressly to work in a hybrid setting and initially comes in a ‘mild’ format, outputting 169kW. The plug-in rechargeable format has even more oomph. It swaps out the 1.49kWh lithium ion battery for a 13.9kWh unit that can be replenished off household mains or a fast charger.

The PHEV model’s electric motor makes 97kW in isolation, but the drivetrain’s combined maximum output is 194kW and 350Nm of torque.

Both hybrid powertrains are hitched to a newly developed six-speed automatic transmission.

They feature a new low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation system and continuously variable valve timing, which Hyundai claims improves fuel efficiency by five percent and decreases emissions by 12 percent in its own right.

The hybrids also have the same four-wheel-drive system as the diesel, but are also being built in front-drive format.

The models’ all-wheel drive now takes a terrain mode selector, which offers specific setups for snow, gravel and mud. The drivetrain also comes with three driving modes – Eco, Comfort and Sport – which can deactivate drive to the rear axle to improve fuel efficiency or distribute the engine’s torque across the  axles for extra stability, sending either 35 percent or 50 percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels.

kia sorento (above) and Hyundai Santa Fe (below). Which do you prefer?

The new models are easily picked in the streetscape, with much updated styling for each. What is not so obvious is that they have switched to a completely different platform to that underpinning the outgoing cars, this being a platform developed for a Hyundai Sonata sedan sold in the United States and China. The footprint has grown slightly, but more importantly the change unlocks additional interior room.

The national distributors have yet to provision specification details however some inkling about what’s coming, at least for Sorento, can likely be gleaned from detail shared out of Australia, where the car is launching in a couple of weeks.

The line there spans four derivatives. Standard fare includes a “segment-first” front centre side airbag, between driver and passenger. A 10.25 inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Multi Connection Bluetooth also configures. Australia’s flagship, called GT-Line, represents with a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster, Blind Spot View Monitor, a shift-by-wire dial instead of a gear lever and remote smart parking assist.

Santa Fe for an electric age?

Hyundai’s local distributor is keen on the hybrid petrol drivetrains confirmed for the next-generation edition of its popular sports utility.

TM Santa Fe is earmarked for a last quarter arrival here, but nothing’s concrete yet.

MILD hybrid and plug-in hybrid petrol powerplants will fuel Hyundai New Zealand’s ambition with the updated Santa Fe coming later this year.

Assuming, at least, that brand boss Andy Sinclair’s wish list to include those 1.6-litre powerplants alongside a new version of the 2.2-litre turbodiesel that’s been the core choice for the past three generations is fulfilled by Seoul head office.

Hyundai New Zealand’s general manager says he definitely can see merit in taking his vehicle in a battery-supported direction, and not just because that’s where a big rival – Toyota Highlander – will wholly commit in a new-generation line coming early next year.

“We’d definitely take hybrid. I think it is very important to give our customers a choice.

the new 1.6-litre is designed to marry with hybrid technology

“I think it’s great to offer different drivetrains. And being a market leader with electric models already, anything that is available in that format we’d be keen to look at.

“We’re absolutely keen … if it’s available. There is no confirmation yet. Until we get to the final part of actually having spec and price available to us – which will be quite close to the (new model’s) release.”

The car’s release timing is also fluid, thanks to the impact of Covid-19 on car making in South Korea.

All Sinclair can say at the moment is that he expects to have it here by “quarter four.” All going well.

“With Covid-19 a lot of production schedules have understandably changed and because Covid is still strong overseas it has potential for more change, so we really don’t know.”

One likely outcome from the assembly line holdups created by coronavirus closing the Hyundai Group factories and restricting supply of vital components which they outsource from – would you believe – specialists based around Wuhan, in China, is that the Santa Fe might now beat its Kia equivalent to market.

The original gameplan that gave the Sorento a clear head start – which is why the current edition of Kia’s car is in a runout phase that Santa Fe has yet to enter – is now derailed, according to industry informants. Their understanding is that Hyundai sub-brand’s factory having retuned its production to favour larger more important, left-hand-drive markets has pushed Sorento’s local introduction back significantly.

Sinclair said that development was news to him. “My understanding was that it would be out before the Santa Fe.” Not that was important. “We don’t plan around other brands so it never really came into the discussion.”

Having revealed the next Santa Fe’s new look and something about its specification in February, Hyundai has now chosen to release much more detail about the drivetrains.

News about the four-cylinder 2.2-litre diesel is that it has a new fuel injection system and improved internal components, which help to reduce the engine’s friction and improve fuel economy. It mates to a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

The 1.6-litre is the smallest-capacity engine yet for into the SUV and might seem a world away from the V6 or even 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrols that have powered this model in the past.

Yet the new until hardly a weakling, being turbocharged and though efficiency data has yet to be released, Hyundai has indicated a huge improvement in respect to economy and emissions.

The unit has been designed expressly to work in a hybrid setting and initially comes in a ‘mild’ format, outputting 169kW. This will be in production from the start but will joined next year by the plug-in rechargeable format, which swaps out the 1.49kWh lithium ion battery for a 13.9kWh unit that can be replenished off household mains or a fast charger. The PHEV model’s electric motor makes 97kW in isolation, but the drivetrain’s combined maximum output is 194kW and 350Nm of torque.

Both hybrid powertrains are hitched to a newly developed six-speed automatic transmission, which Hyundai says is both smoother and more fuel efficient than the previous model’s gearbox.

The two engines also feature a new low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation system and continuously variable valve timing, which Hyundai claims improves fuel efficiency by five percent and decreases emissions by 12 percent in its own right.

The hybrids also have the same four-wheel-drive system as the diesel, but are also being built in front-drive format.

The all-wheel drive now takes a terrain mode selector, which offers specific setups for snow, gravel and mud. The drivetrain also comes with three driving modes – Eco, Comfort and Sport – which can deactivate drive to the rear axle to improve fuel efficiency or distribute the engine’s torque across the SUV’s axles for extra stability, sending either 35 percent or 50 percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels.

The new model is easily picked in the streetscape. What is not so obvious is that it has switched to a completely different platform to that underpinning today’s car. It is going to a platform developed for a Sonata sedan sold in the United States and China.

Due to the platform switch, the Santa Fe has increased in size. It’s 15mm longer, 10mm wider and 5mm taller than the model it replaces, with dimensions of 4785mm, 1900mm and 1685mm respectively. Hyundai says this has unlocked more space in the cabin for passengers, adding an extra 34mm of legroom for rear-seat occupants.

It would seem improbable that the major changes won’t avoid a price impact, but Sinclair says that the current flagship Limited diesel, a $83,990 proposition, firmly holding as the most popular version sold suggests consumers perceive Hyundai as a premium brand.

Santa Fe’s pricing potentially points to the next-size-up Palisade sports utility, an eight-seater that arrives at year-end, standing good chance of becoming the first Hyundai to price above $100,000.

Sinclair would not be drawn on that, but acknowledged “it will take us into a new pricing territory, there’s no doubt. But just what that will be, I don’t know. We have not got any indication from HMC (Hyundai Motor Company) on price.”

So, is comfortable with the prospect? “Well, our biggest-selling Santa Fe is our most expensive one. That’s a fact. Hyundai is a brand that has a premium over Japanese brands. Our customers can see our quality.”

Palisade confirmed for NZ

You think the Santa Fe is substantial? Wait until you meet its big brother.

SIXTEEN cupholders, seven USB ports and up to eight seats – plus a brash styling that simply cannot be ignored and potentially a sticker that takes Hyundai into a pricing zone it has never previously breached.

Those are features of the Hyundai Palisade, an even larger sports utility than the well-received Santa Fe that has been confirmed as an addition to the brand’s local line-up, arriving at year-end. 

Designed and initially only designated for North America, but now being made available through South Korea finally bending to a campaign by Australia to put it into right-hand-drive, Palisade is built in front-drive V6 and also provisions in the same mechanical spec preferred by most Santa Fe buyers – so four-wheel-drive, a 2.2-litre turbodiesel and an eight-speed auto.

Auckland-centred Hyundai New Zealand confirmed some months ago it was mulling adding in the Palisade to become the fifth SUV in its line-up and the first to offer eight seats. 

That process has cemented with last week’s confirmation that it will be going into Australia from year-end, coming off the same production line in South Korea that produces NZ-market Santa Fe.

Today the national distributor said it had still to decide on the exact spec and powertrain choices – but conceivably you need only examine what Australia is getting to see the full selection of choice.

 It seems safe to assume NZ will take the 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, which is in the same tune as it features in the Santa Fe, so cracks out 147kW and 440Nm.

Our neighbour has decided to take the petrol, a 3.8-litre V6 producing 213kW and 355Nm. Given that Hyundai NZ has discontinued the same layout, albeit with a smaller-capacity six, in the latest Santa Fe, this version of Palisade would seem  less likely.

Timing? Not exact dates are being given, but HNZ general manager Andy Sinclair says it’ll be here in time for summer.

So, we’re picking December. As for price? Well They’ve also indicated – and no surprise with this – it’ll sit above Santa Fe, which tops out at $83,990, so expect to spend at least $85,000, if not more. Could it even become the first Hyundai to sell here for more than $100,000?

Hyundai NZ has expressed confidence it can find a ready market for a model that is much larger than the Santa Fe, measuring around 210mm longer with a 180mm longer wheelbase and boot that offers 311 litres space with all three rows up (so, more than double Santa Fe’s capacity in that configuration), or 704L with two rows of seating in use. It is slightly shorter and narrower than the Mazda CX-9 and longer and wider than the current Toyota Highlander, which is set to go into a new generation in early 2021.

Sinclair is calling the Palisade “the ultimate family vehicle for practical, comfortable daily use and venturing further afield for a family roadie” and says it will provide Kiwis “more choice when it comes to buying a vehicle to meet their lifestyle needs.”

The model also stands out as being one of a relative few Hyundai vehicles unlikely to be troubled by a Kia equivalent here. Yes, there certainly is a twin under the skin. Yet the award-winning Telluride is only made in in North America and has been discounted for reconfirmation in left-hand-drive.

Expectation is that Palisade will add a higher, comfort-oriented specification than Santa Fe as well as an extra seat.

Apart from all those cup holders and USB ports, it delivers roof ventilation for all rows, heating and ventilated front and second-row seats and middle-seat delete for the second-row (as a seven-seater with ‘walkthrough’ aisle).

There’s also a digital instrument cluster with blind-spot video streaming and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, reversing camera and 360-degree cameras. Also expect a host of safety technology including AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, passenger detection monitors, and more 

Comfort comes via electrically adjustable seats and plenty of Nappa leather. Both second and third-rows get Isofix anchors for child seats, plus tether points, including for the third row. 

North America’s status as the priority market dictated why it launched at the 2018 Los Angeles Motor Show.

The US market is not wholly pinned to an eight-seater configuration. Over Stateside the car also offers as an opulent six-seater, with power folding captain’s chairs in the second and third rows and a ‘sleep mode’ that can mute the back speakers for snoozing passengers also befit its flagship status.

Like the Santa Fe, it features a rear occupant alert system that will beep the horn if ultrasonic sensors detect movement inside the vehicle once locked, helping look after pets and small children.