| Hyundai Motor Company’s all-new ix35 was officially unveiled in September. The compact sports utility vehicle has sweeping coupe-like lines, a premium vehicle feel and comes with features unavailable on its predecessor. “The launch of the Tucson ix in Korea, which will carry the ix35 name in the New Zealand market, has been a long awaited event and we have already seen considerable interest in the vehicle in New Zealand” Says Philip Eustace, Executive Director Hyundai New Zealand. The ix35 has gone on sale in Korea and Hyundai New Zealand hope to have the vehicle here for our market as early as April 2010. The ix35’s revolutionary features begin with the exterior styling which is based on the bold ix-onic concept shown at Geneva Motor Show in March. The power output, fuel-efficiency, comfort and safety features have been all upgraded. Known by the project name LM, it took 36 months and approximately NZ$331 million (approx. US$225 million) to develop. It will come in an all-new 2.4 litre petrol version and the R-Series diesel. All models will be fitted with Hyundai’s new six-speed automatic transmission. The diesel version achieves a frugal 6.49L/100km fuel economy with a maximum power output of 184 horse power. The ix35 has been conceived and engineered in Europe at the company's Frankfurt design and technical centre. With a current market share of 8.2 percent of SUV sales and having sold 4,438 since its introduction making it number two in New Zealand, the Tucson has been a popular model with Kiwis. It has been equally as loved worldwide with the car that was named after a city in Arizona selling over one million units since its launch in 2004. |
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