PETALING JAYA: Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has unveiled the new locally assembled 2WD Tucson with a 2.0-litre Nu MPI engine for the Elegance and the range-topping Executive at its latest Hyundai Training Academy in Mutiara Damansara.

Priced on-the-road with insurance and GST, the Elegance comes in at RM129,888 while the Executive is at RM143,888 – but by January 2016, these prices will be increased by RM3,000.

To help sweeten the deal, each new Tuscon comes with free service of up to 50,000km that’s valid for up to three years – all of which is additional to the standard five-year or 300,000km (whichever comes first) warranty and 24-hour road assist for new and existing Hyundai vehicles.

Improvements to the Tucson include larger engine mounts, more sound insulation materials, 335 feet of structural adhesive to insulate against road noise, refined door latches, lower drag co-efficient from 0.35 to 0.33Cd.

Under the hood lies the same four-cylinder 2.0-litre engine as before with direct injection for its two-wheel-drive (2WD) system – delivering 153bhp at 6,200rpm and 192Nm torque at 4,000rpm.

A six-speed automatic transmission manages power delivery to the front wheels of the 1,435kg sport utility vehicle, which has a wheelbase of 2,670mm and comes in measuring 4,475mm-long, 1,655mm-tall and 1,850mm-wide.

Furthermore, standard fitment includes 17-inch wheels with 225/60 series tyres, reverse camera, keyless entry, leather interior, halogen projector headlamps, a motor driven power steering system and steering wheel audio controls.

However, the Executive adds a start-stop button, auto cruise system, auto light-control, headlamp escort as well as a front and rear parking assist system.

As for external differences, the more affordable Elegance gets its grille painted in Metallic Silver while the door handles match the body colour (instead of chrome) and it only has rear fog lamps (does not include the front), as well as LED daytime running lights, wing mirror signal lights and puddle lamps.

Inside, the Elegance’s seats (eight-way powered for Executive) are wrapped in black leather as standard, but red leather and white Nappa leather are also available as an optional upgrade.

The more costly Executive comes with Drive Mode Control System that provides normal, sports and eco driving modes as well as a 4.2-inch TFT LCD supervision cluster (Elegance gets a smaller 3.5-inch), electronic parking brake, electronic chromic mirror with compass, rear console air vents and navigation.

In terms of safety, the Tucson gets anti-lock braking system, brake assist, vehicle stability management, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, and downhill brake control as standard.

The new Hyundai Tucson is available in seven colours of Pure White, Sepia Topaz, Pepper Grey, Platinum Silver, Ruby White, Ara Blue and Phantom Black.

“The launch of the all-new Tucson demonstrates Hyundai’s design and technological capabilities in producing yet another game-changing product,” said HSDM managing director Lau Yit Mun.

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