By Daryl Lee

LOCAL HYUNDAI DISTRIBUTOR, Komoco Motors, has announced the launch of the Hyundai Tucson Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) a short three months after the car’s Korean launch in late August this year.

The new Tucson, which Hyundai spent US$225 million (about S$311 million) developing, has gained coupe-like looks and has grown larger, gaining 85mm in length to 4,410mm with a 10mm increase in wheelbase to 2,640mm and a marginal increase in width.

Power comes from the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group’s ‘Theta-II’ 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder engine, mated to an all-new six-speed automatic gearbox. This makes 166bhp versus the preceding model’s 140bhp, and has a peak torque figure of 197Nm from 184Nm before. It also has continuously variable valve timing for its intake and exhaust phases, improving fuel efficiency.

With its new gearbox, Hyundai has also moved itself into a small group of auto-makers who have produced their own six-speed automatics. It’s lighter and Hyundai claims that on top of being slightly quicker during acceleration, it’s also about 12 percent more fuel efficient. What’s more, its gearbox is filled with a transmission fluid that’s supposed to last the life of the vehicle, reducing its maintenance costs.

Local equipment in the new Tucson include an electronic stability programme, a sunroof and a reverse camera integrated with the rear-view mirror.

Komoco Motors is currently taking bookings for the new Tucson, priced at $79,999 with COE, and potential customers can expect first deliveries to begin from late November to early December.