Hyundai has released the first official images of the Mufasa SUV ahead of its public appearance at the Auto Shanghai 2023 next week. The Hyundai Mufasa is for sale in the Chinese market only, for now, where Hyundai has a 50:50 joint venture with Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC). Earlier last month, Hyundai had previewed the production model with the Mufasa Adventure concept. The Mufasa replaces the ageing ix35 in the Chinese market.
- Hyundai Mufasa gets unique single piece vertical headlamps
- Expected to be powered by 156hp, 2.0 NA petrol engine
- Will be sold in Chinese market only
Hyundai Mufasa exterior design, dimensions
Although Hyundai hasn’t officially revealed the technical details, a regulatory filing on China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology website suggests that the Mufasa will measure 4,475mm in length, 1,850mm in width, 1,665mm in height and have a wheelbase of 2,680mm. This makes it slightly smaller than the Tucson that’s sold in India.
As for the design, the Mufasa has certain familiar elements as it uses Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language, and yet, gets its own distinctive design elements as well. For instance, the single-piece, vertically oriented headlamps look very unique, and unlike the current trend, does not adopt a split headlamp set-up. The face is also very aggressive with the grille occupying almost the entire front fascia with a sharply contoured bumper down below. The dual-tone treatment on the face looks particularly nice as well. Those with a keen eye will see that it even resembles with the MG Hector sold in India.
In profile, the Mufasa gets sharp character lines and flared wheel arches, similar to the Tucson and Verna in India. The design of the alloys are similar to the Alcazar in India, and it also gets thick body cladding all around. The rear profile, however, is completely unique. The full-width LED tail-lamps form an oval shape and are enclosed in a gloss black panel with Hyundai lettering in the centre. And while the tail gate is neat, the bumper down below is quite busy with cladding and a faux diffuser.
Hyundai has, however, not released any images of the Mufasa’s interior so far.
Hyundai Mufasa powertrain options
As mentioned earlier, technical details about the Mufasa are still unofficial, but it’s expected to be powered by a 156hp, 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, driving the front wheels only. This is the same engine that does duty on the Tucson in India and was previously also offered on the Alcazar. As per reports, the Mufasa could also benefit from a hybrid powertrain at a later stage, possibly with a 48V mild-hybrid configuration.
The Mufasa will be locally manufactured in China, and for now, will only be sold there. There’s no word about it making it to other markets, at least for now. Hyundai will reveal more details about the powertrain and interior on April 18 when it officially debuts at Auto Shanghai 2023.
Hyundai’s next SUV for India will be the Exter
Back home, Hyundai announced an all-new sub-compact SUV based on the Grand i10 Nios platform christened the Exter. It will be positioned as a direct rival to the Tata Punch, will be petrol-only at launch and is expected to go on sale by August this year. You can read more about it here.
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