Hyundai Motor Company has revealed a new hybrid modification of the Tucson SUV for Europe. First cars will roll into dealerships within the next few weeks, but the prices remain undisclosed.
The new model will come equipped with a mild-hybrid powertrain which pairs the old diesel engine with a modest 12-kilowatt (16-hp) electric motor and a 0.44 kWh battery. Buyers will be able to choose between manual or automatic transmission.
The electric engine will assist the diesel unit during periods of mild acceleration, helping to reduce fuel consumption, or improve the overall vehicle dynamics during rapid throttle. It will also regenerate some of the energy otherwise wasted during braking, resulting in an extra 7% of fuel economy compared to its non-hybrid counterpart.
The new Hyundai Tucson will be initially available with a 2.0L, 186hp / 139kW diesel engine at its core. Another version with a 1.6L turbo diesel engine will be released in 2019.
The updated Hyundai Tucson series premiered at the International New York Auto Show in March earlier this year. It came equipped with a new radiator grille, restyled bumpers, different wheels and new LED headlights. It also featured a new dashboard and an infotainment system with a touchscreen display that seemed to hover over it. New base equipment included adaptive cruise control and collision prevention.
Photo: autocar.co.uk