The ix35 will be the first SUV manufactured by the South Korean company entirely in Europe at the Frankfurt-based design and technical centers. It is inspired by the ix-onic concept car displayed at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year and "embodies Hyundai's new design language fluidic sculpture," as the parent company said in a release.
"SUVs have been a cornerstone of our success for many years and have helped to raise awareness of the Hyundai brand in Europe," says Allan Rushforth, Vice-President of Hyundai Motor Europe. "With Tucson in particular we have demonstrated our expertise in producing SUVs which not only meet consumer expectations but also help to shape the sector itself."
"Building on these strong foundations, we expect to capitalize on the growing market demand for compact SUVs with the introduction of the new ix35 - an efficient, Europe-focused model with real showroom appeal. It will join the ix55 and revised Santa Fe in a new-look range of SUVs, supporting the significant growth in market share we have achieved this year."
As for the new ix35, the car will be powered 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 gearbox. The second powerplant available 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.
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