2010 Hyundai Tucson/ix35 Officially Unveiled

Korean manufacturer Hyundai today pulled the wraps off their newest SUV, the Tucson/ix35, with sales on the Korean market already given a green light. According to Hyundai, the new Tucson ix (the name it will wear on the Korean market) will "set the trend for the segment and regain sales leadership in the small SUV market."

The new Tucson is powered by a 2.0l engine, available in both diesel (R) and gasoline (Theta II) versions. The diesel has an output of 184 hp, while the gasoline one develops 166 hp. Both versions are mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission.

Features included in the new Tucson include Vehicle Dynamic Control, Downhill Brake Control and Hill-Start Assist Control, Emergency Stop Signal and Safety Rear-View Mirror.

As we said, the Korean version of the SUV has been already put on sale in Korea. The Tucson ix is priced in between 21 million won ($16,840) for the diesel 2WD and 27 million won ($21,650) for the top of the line version. The gasoline version will be priced less expensive, with prices ranging from 19 million won ($15,240) to 24 million won ($19,250).

As for Europeans who have set their sights on the new ix, they will still have to wait until early 2010 to get the SUV. The Korean manufacturer however promised to release full details, trim levels and prices for the European spec ix on September 3, prior to the debut of the Frankfurt Auto Show.

After all markets get the new Hyundai, the manufacturer plans on selling 300,000 units a year. For the remaining four months of the year, Hyundai hopes to put 16,000 ixs on the roads.