Elite Tucson is a head turner
BY POPULAR DEMAND: TOP-OF-THE-RANGE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MODEL LAUNCHED
This new model will make the already popular SUV even more aspirational.
Following the success of the very attractive Tucson 1.6 TGDI Executive Sport with its eye-catching body skirts, black 19-inch wheels and bold exhaust pipes, Hyundai has decided to give the top-of-the-range All-Wheel Drive Tucson 1.6 TGDI Elite the same treatment, and to let it carry the Sport moniker as well.
Since the launch of the Tucson Sport with the Executive specification level at the beginning of June this year, customers have indicated that there is a definite appetite for the bold and beautiful looks that the special body treatment has given this top-selling SUV model in Hyundai’s local range.
“We have sold more than 50 Tucson 1.6 TGDI Executive Sport models in July, within little more than a month after its launch. These figures vindicated our decision to offer a derivative with sporty overtones and a body kit that made the good-looking Tucson even more attractive,” says Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
“Some of our customers requested this same body kit and engine power upgrade to be applied to our top-of-range Tucson 1.6 TGDI Elite All-Wheel Drive derivative with its Dual Clutch Transmission. It convinced us to add another Tucson Sport derivative to our range.”
This new derivative of Hyundai's popular SUV model is known as the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 TGDI Elite Sport AWD, which means it is powered by a turbocharged 1,6-litre petrol engine that delivers 150 kW peak power and 295 Nm torque, distributed to the road via All-Wheel Drive and a Dual Clutch Transmission.
It also boasts the comprehensive Elite level of features, including a big sun roof and a host of convenience, safety and luxury items that comes standard with the R599 900 price ticket.
The body kit used for the Tucson 1.6 TGDI Elite Sport – comprising front, rear and side skirts – come from Korea, and the alloy wheels were chosen with the help of Tiger Wheel & Tyre, exclusively for the Tucson Sport. Hyundai Automotive SA also fitted an exhaust system with four chrome pipes at the rear that audibly announces the sporty nature of this Tucson
The exclusive 19-inch black alloy wheels with its low-profile tyres raised the outstanding handling dynamics of the Tucson to an even higher level.
The 1,6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine of the Tucson Elite Sport is linked to the slick gearbox with its dual clutches that enables automatic, economical gearshifts, with the option of a Sport mode.
The recommended retail price of R599 900, which includes Hyundai’s industry-leading 7-year/200 000 km warranty, roadside assistance for 5 years or 150 000 km, and a 5-year/90 000 km service plan. Its service interval is 15 000 km.