Sports equipment is in vogue and have long arrived in the naturally rather heavy SUV league. From May, Hyundai will also be offering the Tucson in tracksuit.
VW does it, Opel does it, Audi does it, Toyota does it - almost all manufacturers have recently expanded their range of sporty equipment significantly. Regardless of whether R, OPC, S or GR line, a bit more optical dynamics is good for most models. The Hyundai Tucscon (from 34.550 euros) is the first SUV from the Korean brand to be adorned with the sports badge from May, after the compact i30 it is the two N-Line Hyundai at all. The product planners assume that around 15 percent of Tucson buyers will tick the box on the N-Line.
The tracksuit is as simple as it is effective and suits the 1,66 meter high-legged guy really well: a new radiator grille, modified front and rear aprons, massive 19-inch models, new daytime running lights, less chrome, more dark decorative elements and of course that Prominent double tailpipes make the Tucson N-Line more striking. Hyundai designer Thomas Bürkle emphasizes that the fact that the performance equipment is usually not accompanied by an increase in performance is of secondary importance. “Customers are more concerned with individuality than pure sportiness.”
Inside there are also a few darkened decorative inserts, but the most striking are the red decorative stitching on the black leather fabric seats. The latter, however, are as softly upholstered as the standard stalls. The N-Line model comes standard with stainless steel pedals before, but otherwise it remains in the clear, unobtrusive interior of the standard Tucson.
The Koreans do without a sports suspension that brings the Tucson closer to the earth. There is at least a revised set-up for this: the dampers should be a little tighter, the steering a little more direct - but only if you opt for one of the two more powerful drive variants: for the 1,6-liter turbo petrol engine with 130 kW / 177 PS or the 136 kW / 185 PS strong 2,0-liter diesel; the latter always comes with all-wheel drive, with the gasoline engine, customers have the choice. As standard, both drive with a 6-speed manual gearbox, seven-speed double-clutch transmissions for the gasoline engine or eight-speed converter for the diesel engine can be ordered separately. The prices start at 34.550 euros for the 1.6 T-GDI as a 2WD manual switch, the diesel with automatic costs 43.000 euros. The basis for the N-Line version is the style equipment.
As the third drive option, a new 1,6-liter diesel is available from summer - without the streamlined dampers - which can then also be ordered in the other equipment. Like the big diesel engine, the 1.6er uses 48 Volt support and belt starter generator, which adds a little electric thrust when accelerating and recovers energy while rolling and braking. Consumption Hyundai delivers yet that the system is working effectively, but you can see at Kia: There is the 48 -Volt diesel in the Kia Sportage already in use. What the 1.6er diesel costs in the Tucson, says Hyundai yet.