Korean carmaker Hyundai has given a glimpse of the 2016 Tucson during the Geneva Motor Show held on the first week of March. But during this week’s New York International Auto Show, the company put on display the American trim level of the compact SUV.
The five-passenger crossover segment in the US is such a crowded one for carmakers and Hyundai made sure that its 2016 Tucson came up with innovative and compelling features to enable it to stand out from the competition.
Peter Schreyer, Hyundai Design Chief, who was also a former Audi Designer, explained that the sharp and stylized sheet metal that it used in designing the 2016 Hyundai Tucson will prove to be its major selling point in the very competitive American crossover market while helping the Korean carmaker sustain its established niche in the market, notes the Motor Authority.
Different engines
The 2016 Hyundai Tucson will have three engine variants. The base model shall feature the 2.0-liter four-cylinder I-4 engine capable of dishing off 164 maximum horsepower that shall come with a six-speed automatic transmission.
There is also the superior 1.6-liter four-cylinder I-4 engine capable of producing 175 horsepower and complemented by a seven-speed automated manual transmission, using two computer-controlled clutches to select shifts.
The new type of transmission combines the convenience of an automatic and the efficiency of a manual transmission. The third engine, which will not be available in the US, is the 1.7-liter turbo diesel powertrain
The Korean carmaker is also quite proud of the fuel economy of the front-wheel drive 2016 Hyundai Tucson which is pegged at 29 miles per gallon, which is quite impressive for its class.
The crossover shall also have an option for an all-wheel drive that will utilize a system that dynamically shifts torque between the front and the rear axles. There is a button at the center console that electronically locks the system’s center differential so that the torque gets to all the four wheels especially when driving in snow or mud.
The 2016 Tucson is also fitted with corner braking system, which automatically applies a bit of brake pressure on the inside wheels when navigating a turn.
Additional high-tech features
The Tucson also has additional high-tech features including the LED headlights that complement the LED running lights. Aside from being energy efficient and longer-lasting, the discharge lamps also comes with dynamic bending lights, which directs the headlights to aim into a corner based on steering angle, a first-of-its-kind in its class.
Hyundai has likewise incorporate plenty of advanced safety features on the Tucson including a collision prevention system that automatically brakes when it senses objects or pedestrians in the car path. It also has a blind-spot monitor, lane departure warning, and rear-view camera.
The interior infotainment is provided by the Hyundai’s BlueLink telematics system, which provides services such as road assistance, collision detection with emergency assistance, and stolen vehicle recovery.