2010 Hyundai ix35 Technical Details Revealed

AS THE FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW draws closer, Hyundai has released a raft of technical details for the stylish 2010 ix35, the Korean carmaker's successor to the outgoing Tucson.

The first of Hyundai's new generation models to showcase the company's "Fluidic sculpture" design language, the ix35 features a range of all-new engines to complement the brand new styling.

In Europe and likely in Australia, a 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol engine developing 123kW and 196Nm of torque will start the line-up.

Hyundai's new 2.0 litre R diesel engines will follow, starting with a 102kW/313Nm unit and topping out with a high-output version of the same engine developing 137kW and 391Nm of torque.

Carbon emissions for front-wheel-drive petrol manual ix35 are rated at 178g/km. The 4WD manual diesel emits 158g/km, and the front-wheel-drive manual diesel is rated at 165g/km.

From 2010, the European market ix35 will be joined by a 1.6 litre GDI petrol engine developing 104kW and 166Nm of torque, releasing 158g/km of CO2.

An entry-level 1.7 litre turbodiesel will follow the GDI petrol engine, producing 85kW and 254Nm of torque. Emissions for this engine are rated at 149g/km.

Six-speed manual transmissions will be fitted as standard with the diesel models, and the higher-output R diesel engine will be available with Hyundai's new six-speed automatic transmission as an option.

To help drivers achieve maximum driving efficiency, a new "ECO" display in the centre of the instrument cluster flashes at the optimum gear shift point.

A rear-view camera will be offered with higher-spec models featuring the 3.5-inch LCD display. Steering-mounted controls and a push button ignition will also feature on higher-spec models.

Passenger and storage space should be greatly improved in the the ix35.

Riding on a 2640mm wheelbase - 10mm longer than its Tucson forebear - and measuring 4410mm in length and 1820mm in width, the new SUV/CUV is 85mm longer and 20mm wider than the Tucson.

Production is due to begin for the Korean market in September, and international markets from November.

The ix35, designed and engineered in Europe, will be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 15.