Hyundai Tucson Caught On The Road – Expect 1.6-L DI Engines

The Frankfurt Show for September will mark a very big event for many automakers, one of which will be Hyundai. The Korean automaker is expected to reveal the 2011 Sonata and also the new Tucson SUV at this show. Of course before the shows we are usually teased with a few spy shots. Keeping with tradition we will now unveil a few spy images of the Tucson prototype on the road.

Hyundai’s Tucson will feature a few design cues from the ix-onic concept from Geneva, but overall it will be a new model. There will be changes to both the interior and exterior, where the interior was snapped featuring a few upscale parts and a more attractive design for the dashboard.

The Tucson will use the same underpinnings of the Kia Sportage which is currently under development, so this means expect four-wheel and front wheel drive layouts.

Sources have said that the 2010 Tucson will feature a new 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol engine in the form of natural aspiration and also forced induction via a turbocharger. Expect 140 horsepower in the N/A and 175-hp in the turbocharged motor.

Diesel fans will be happy to hear that they can score with the new 2.0-litre “R’ which makes 184-hp and 400Nm of torque.

Expect the launch to be early next year.