Hyundai has revealed its new Tucson N Line, the brand’s first performance SUV, which could lead to a possible N version. Changes to the Hyundai Tucson N Line include a stiffened chassis, revised bumpers, new black 19-inch alloy wheels and a sportier cabin.
Thomas Buerkle, Hyundai Europe’s design chief, and his team have created a beefier-looking Tucson with changes like a new front bumper and new grille, tweaked headlights and twin exhaust pipes. The front bumper features distinctive ‘boomerang’ LED DRLs, while the headlamps are standard LED units with black bezels to emphasise its shape. All the chrome bits have been replaced by blacked-out elements. The window frames are finished in black as well – as is typical on Audi, BMW and Mercedes sports models – and the grille gets a dark chrome treatment, while the rear spoiler has a glossy black finish.
In the cabin of the Tucson N Line, the dark theme continues with bucket-style seats trimmed in microfibre cloth, along with red stitching on the steering, dashboard and gear selector.
Hyundai has also made the front and rear suspension is 8 percent and 5 percent stiffer, respectively and has changed the software on the electric power steering to “give a slightly more direct, linear feel at the wheel”.
However, the new Tucson N Line no upgrade to the powertrains – the 137hp, 1.6-litre diesel equipped with 48V mild hybrid technology, the 177hp, 1.6-litre turbo-petrol unit and the 185hp 2.0-litre diesel 48V mild-hybrid continue from the standard Tucson SUV.
Hyundai has not stated whether it intends on bringing the Tucson N-Line to India, where the standard Tucson retails between Rs 18.74 lakh and Rs 26.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). However, it is gearing up to launch the all-new QXi compact SUV in India in the coming months.
Hyundai Tucson N Line image gallery
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