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Fonte: Hyundai blog
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2010 Hyundai Tucson LM spied again - Apr.27, 2009
Hyundai has a next generation Tucson crossover in the works and since early 2008 a fleet of prototypes have been seen undergoing final development testing worldwide. The 2010 Hyundai Tucson has previously been caught in the northern parts of Europe where it was going through some some cold-weather testing, but now it seems like prototypes were brought back to South Korea for some evaluation.
Codenamed LM, the 2010 Hyundai Tucson will make its official South Korean debut in September this year. Initially, the model will be available in Korean market only, but later it is expected to be exported to the US, Middle East, Australia and South East Asia. Perhaps you havent noticed, but I excluded the European market and thats with a reason. The 2010 Hyundai Tucson for European market will be built in Europe, while Tucsons sold in afore-mentioned markets will be built in South Korea.
Speaking of manufacturing location, the 2010 Tucson will be built by Hyundais affiliate company Kia Motors that has a modern production fascility in Slovakia where a highly successful Kia cee’d hatchback is being built. The same factory also produces Kia Sportage SUV, which is Tucsons sibling model, built on the same platform.
Earlier this year, Hyundai unveiled a beautiful concept car called ix-onic and that was the model that previewed the next generation Hyundai Tucson. The concept featured a hi-tech 1.6L turbo engine equipped with gasoline direct injection technology and that engine is expected to make it in production in the future Tucson crossover.
Other expected (rumored) engine choices include a 2.0L R-diesel with 150hp (low hp output) and 185hp (high hp output) for European market, while US will get a 175 horsepower, 2.4L Theta II engine and possibly a 156hp 2.0L four cylinder engine. In favor of improved fuel consumption, the gas-guzzling 2.7L V6 will be axed from Tucsons engine line-up. Engines will be mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions.[/align:3fa872d394]