Spyshots: 2010 Hyundai iX35

Hyundai Tucson's days are numbered, as its replacement, the likely-to-be-called iX35 is already undergoing testing in Germany. Supposed to be based on the Hyundai's Urban Nomad iX-Onic Crossover Concept (HED-6, if you like), the production version is getting ready to be released at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show in September.

As you can see for yourselves, however, there is little to be distinguished underneath all that covering, so it is nearly impossible to say what of the design cues of the HED-6 have passed onto the iX35.

What we can see though is the positioning of the headlights, which are not as "up and to the back" as on the HED. The overall stance of the cabin does though resemble more the concept than the Tucson.

The new SUV will be powered, according to inside sources, by a 1.6l petrol engine developing 175 hp. The engine will benefit from Hyundai's start-stop system, called by the Koreans ISG (Idle Stop & Go) and will be paired with a new six-speed automatic transmission.

The second engine featured on the iX35 will be a totally new one, called by Hyundai R-diesel. The unit is capable of developing 184 hp and 400 Nm of torque.

When they unveiled the concept at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, the Korean manufacturer promised the concept designed in Russelheim, Germany is an "urban nomad, a car of contrasts for a world of contrasts."

It is unclear at this point where all those innovations are in the design of the iX35, as there's not much visible of the SUV. Still, little time remains until the Frankfurt show, so more and more details are expected to surface.
More images in the gallery below.