Mr Monu, an avid member of popular auto website, Motorbeam, uploaded the spy shots of what seems like the 2011 Hyunda Tucson SUV. Mr Monu spotted the SUV in Kolkata, India and he also added that the spied Tucson was followed by Hyundai Santa Fe SUV featuring Bhutan license plates. Hyundai seems to be quite interested in capturing the SUV market in India.
The test cars look exactly the same as the Hyundai ix35 sold in international markets, which suggests that Hyundai may sell the SUV as a CBU (completely built unit) in India. Over the years they have tried to launch SUV’s in the country but somehow they have failed to enthral the Indian buyer. Lets see if the new Santa Fe and 2011 Tucson can change that. Expect the Tucson to be priced below Rs 20 lakhs once its launched. At those prices though, the Hyundai Tucson is likely to be a small player. The only way one could get high sales figures in India is by going the route of the Skoda Yeti and price the vehicle around Rs 15 lakh – but for that, you need to manufacture the vehicle here in India which Hyundai does not seem all that willing to do.
The Hyundai Tucson was launched in India a couple of years ago, but owing to poor sales, the company stopped selling the vehicle. The new Hyundai Tucson follows the company’s fluidic sculpture design language and has more curves than sharp angles. The exterior, especially the rear, seems to have design cues inspired by the BMW X Series. Perhaps, it could be a result of the new Tucson being designed by former BMW designer Thomas Buerkle.
In the international market, the Hyundai Tucson is available in 4 engine variants with both 2WD (two-wheel-drive) and 4WD (four-wheel-drive) modes. In the 2WD versions, Tucson is offered with two engine options: the 1.6-litre GDi petrol engine producing 133 bhp of maximum power and 165 Nm of maximum torque, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission and the 2.0-litre CRDi diesel engines that put out 134 bhp of peak power and 320 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.
In the 4WD version, Tucson is offered with three engine options, all of which are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission: the 1.7-litre CRDi diesel engine that produces 114 bhp of maximum power and 260 Nm of maximum torque, the 2.0-litre CRDi engine that produces 134 bhp and 320 Nm and the 2.0 litre CRDi engine that puts out 181 bhp and 392 Nm. We have no clue which engine option will be available on the Tucson for India
Hyundai is readying the next-generation Sonata, the Verna RB and now the Tucson. If launched, the Hyundai Tucson will take on Skoda Yeti and Tata Aria crossover in India. Guess, the Korean car maker is very serious about the Indian market as all the above three upcoming cars are direct products sold in International markets.
More pictures of 2011 Hyundai Tucson –
Source – Motorbeam
