Hyundai Becomes Preferred Supplier for UK Police

Bob Dylan once said, "The Times They Are A-Changin'." If you lived in Britain in the 1950s and '60s, you'd see custodian helmeted policemen driving around in Morris Minors and Ford Anglias. In the '70s you'd see mustachioed policemen driving around in Ford Consuls and Rover 3500s. Then the '80s rolled around and there were policemen and women cruising around in Rover SD1s and Land Rovers.

Then, starting from the late 1980s, something strange happened. Rover - one of the most British of carmakers - started rebadging Hondas. In the 1990's, Germans, who had lost the War, began buying all of Britain's beloved marquees. And the UK Police, who had always bought British before, began buying Mitsubishis. The world had gone mad.

Now, in 2010, Hyundai has been awarded 'preferred supplier' status by the National Association of Police Fleet Managers. That means the UK Police Forces can buy Hyundai's new vehicles.

It's a big sales and publicity boost for Hyundai. Each year, 2,000 cars are acquired by London's Metropolitan Police and a further 7,800 are acquired for work outside the city.

Managing director of Hyundai UK, Tony Whitehorn, said: "Anyone buying a car needs to make sure that they are getting the best possible package for their money. That's especially true when you are buying thousands of vehicles and spending taxpayers' money! The quality, reliability, resale value and performance of Hyundai vehicles has shone through and they've been given the green light to carry a blue light."

Hyundai said the most popular vehicles are expected to be the i20, i30, ix35, Santa Fe and iLoad van. Can you imagine an i20 police car? Doesn't the mere thought of it make your skin crawl?

For the time being, here's an ix35 / Tucson in police livery. It's an okay looker, though doesn't look half as smart as a Land Rover in the same outfit. Maybe I'm just bitter. Oh well, at least Officer Plod will have iPod integration and ESC as standard. That'll show them hoodlums whose boss.

By Tristan Hankins

Hyundai Spoofs Top Gear and Clarkson in New ix35 TV Ads [with Videos]

Hyundai of South Africa has turned the tables around on BBC's outrageously popular television series, Top Gear, with two new commercials for the iX35 crossover (new Tucson in the States) that mock the show and its famous hosts. Hit the jump and watch the 'Moose' and the 'Stag' getting their... hooves on the new Tucson in the latest episode of 'Top Deer'.

Via: Worldcarfans

Living the High Life: Hyundai Makes it to Harrods

In a bit of a marketing stretch, Hyundai is trying to "sell" its new iX35 compact crossover (sold as the 2010 Tucson in North America) at the kind of crowd that shops at Harrods' luxury department store in Knightsbridge, London. The South Korean firm's new crossover model will be on show in Harrods' Brompton Road window displays for a week starting from Monday 7th June.

Hyundai's managing director, Tony Whitehorn said: "We are very proud to have our newest model on display in such an iconic location. Like everything in Harrods, the ix35 has been designed to be stylish, great value and of the highest quality."

The automaker said that staff members from its UK division will be on hand at the department store to answer any product questions about the new iX35.

Hyundai Prices New ix35 SUV from £16,495 in the UK

The new Hyundai ix35, which replaces the Tucson in the Korean firm's European lineup, will cost between £16,495 and £20,745 when it goes on sale in the UK on March 25, the automaker announced today.

At launch the ix35 will be available with a base 161bhp 2.0-liter petrol unit in two-wheel drive form only and a 134bhp 2.0-liter common rail turbo diesel that's offered as a two-wheel and four-wheel drive model.

The entry-level Style trim models come equipped with standard features such as as 17-inch alloy wheels, ESP, air conditioning, built-in Bluetooth phone connectivity, heated front and rear seats, electric heated door mirrors with integrated LED side repeaters, leather steering wheel and gearknob, reverse parking sensors and a trip computer.

The Premium models add 18-inch alloys, a double-length panoramic glass sunroof, automatic headlights, cruise control, dual zone climate control, electric folding door mirrors, keyless entry with engine start/stop button, rear privacy glass, rain-sensing wipers, part-leather upholstery and roof rails.

Later in the year Hyundai will expand the ix35's range with the introduction of a 1.6 gasoline engine with direct injection technology and a new 1.7-liter turbo diesel. More details on these models will be announced in the summer.

_________________________________________________

Model	On-the-road price (includes VAT, delivery, number plates, 12 months VED
2.0 5-dr 2WD Style	£16,495
2.0 CRDi 5-dr 2WD Style	£17,995
2.0 CRDi 5-dr 4WD Style	£18,995
2.0 CRDi 5-dr 2WD Premium	£19,745
2.0 CRDi 5-dr 4WD Premium	£20,745

Hyundai ix35: New Photos and Full Specs on European Market Tucson, Gets New 1.6 Petrol and 1.7 Diesel

Hyundai has released a few more pictures as well as full specs and details on its all-new ix35, the European version of the all-new Tucson SUV/CUV that made its debut in the Korean market earlier this month. Following its Frankfurt motor show launch later this month, the ix35 will go on sale across Europe in the first quarter of 2010. Besides being the first production vehicle expressing Hyundai's so-called "fluidic sculpture" design language, the ix35 also benefits from an all-new engine line-up.

At launch, the Tucson's replacement will be offered with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine rated at 166-horsepower and 20.1kg.m (145 lb-ft.) of torque and the 2.0-liter "R" diesel that comes in a choice of two flavors, a high output version with 184 hp and 40kg.m (289 lb-ft.) of torque, and a base version with 136-horsepower and 32kg.m (231 lb-ft.) of torque.

The gasoline unit engines produce CO2 emissions of 178g/km (2WD MT) while the diesels, 165g/km (2WD MT) and 158g/km (4WD MT), respectively.

Starting from November 2010, the ix35's European range will be enhanced with the addition of a new 1.6-liter GDI gasoline unit that makes 140 hp and 17kg.m (123 lb-ft.) of torque, with 158g/km of CO2 (149 g/km when fitted with Hyundai's ISG start-stop tech), and an also new 1.7-liter turbo diesel rated at 115hp and 26 kg.m (188 lb-ft) of torque, with CO2 emissions of 149 g/km (2WD MT) when equipped with ISG.

Hyundai said that six-speed manual gearboxes are standard on all diesels while the more powerful 2.0-liter 'R' will also come with the option of a six-speed automatic.

To improve handling and ride as well as to minimizes intrusion into the cabin, the Korean automaker adopted a multi-link rear suspension for the ix35, while the front suspension set-up up employs Macpherson struts.

Depending on the market, the ix35 will offer buyers the choice of front- and all-wheel drive while two new safety features make their appearance on the compact CUV/SUV, the Hill start Assist Control and Downhill Brake Control.

The ix35 rides on a 2,640mm wheelbase which is 10mm longer than the outgoing Tucson while at 4,410mm and 1,820mm, it is also longer and wider than its predecessor by 85mm and 20mm, respectively, thus promising to offer improved passenger space.

Despite the fact that the overall height of 1660mm has been lowered by 20mm, the Korean firm says it has not affected headroom compared to the Tucson. As a matter of fact, Hyundai said that greater travel in the front seat adjustment actually gives more legroom and headroom for taller drivers.

According to the Korean company, the center console box has an enlarged capacity of 6.2 liters while the height of the rear cargo screen has been raised for extra capacity and a small storage binnacle has been added in the rear cargo area.

Notable new features for the ix35 include the "ECO" LED icon located between the speedometer and tachometer that flashes when the optimum gear shift point for maximum fuel efficiency is reached; a new rear-view camera that operates in conjunction with a 3.5-inch color LCD built into the rear-view mirror; push button start; steering wheel-mounted audio remote controls and low rolling resistance tires for 16-inch wheels.

Production of the Tucson's successor for the domestic market started at Hyundai's Ulsan factory in South Korea in September. In November 2009, the same plant will begin production for North America and other international markets.

The European version of the compact crossover will be built at the Kia Motors factory in Zilina, Slovakia, with production slated to begin in the first quarter of 2010. Finally, the Chinese market ix35 will be made in China by the company's Beijing Hyundai joint-venture.

Click here for our comprehensive gallery of the Korean-Market 2010 Hyundai Tucson iX

Hyundai ix-Metro Concept with 1.0-liter Turbo Engine Previews Small Crossover Model

The Hyundai Group seems to be on a product roll lately presenting one new model or concept after the other. The latest announcement concerns the presentation of a mini crossover concept called 'ix-Metro' at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month. The fifth in a series of concept cars to be created by Hyundai's Global Design Team in Namyang Korea features an electric-gasoline hybrid system based on a 1.0-liter, turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with direct injection that churns out an impressive - for its size, 125 horsepower.

Hyundai said that the gasoline unit that is coupled to a six-speed dual clutch transmission records ultra low CO2 emissions of just 80g/km.

We only have these computer generated images to go by, but if someone removed Hyundai's badges and asked us to name the maker of the car, we would have probably sworn that the 3.93 meter long ix-Metro with its swoopy lines and pointy fascia is some sort of Mazda prototype...

Though not officially confirmed, it is believed that ix-Metro will spawn a production model within the next two years offering Hyundai a new contender in the all-important European sub-B segment.

Also on display at Hyundai's Frankfurt Motor Show stand will be the all-new ix35 that replaces the outgoing Tucson SUV, the facelifted Santa FE SUV, an all-electric version of the i10 mini and a new 'Blue Edition' model of the i30 that generates just 113g/km of CO2.

Official Pictures of 2011 Hyundai Sonata Leak on the Web

The first set of official photos of the all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata YF made the rounds today on several Korean forums revealing more details on the mid-size sedan's styling. As predicted, Hyundai's Mazda6 and VW Passat challenger incorporates a more dramatic design language than the current model featuring a four-door-coupe-like roofline and a stubby rear-end.

Although it is most likely that these photos depict the U.S. and Asian market model, the European version that will potentially be named ix40, shouldn't differ much - we suspect that the only significant change will concern the replacement of the Klingon-like front grille with something more in the lines of the new Tucson / ix35's grille.

The single interior photo shows the 2011 Sonata's instrument panel that houses a pair of deeply set gauges separated by small color screen.

We'll have to wait for the official reveal to learn details about the engine range, but four-cylinder and V6 gasoline units are almost guaranteed while the European range will also include Hyundai's a choice of four-banger turbo diesels such as the 2.0-liter four-pot with 185 horsepower.

We expect to see the new Sonata making its world debut before the end of the year and to arrive in dealerships on both sides of the Atlantic sometime during the first half of 2010.

UPDATE: Hyundai Releases Official Sketches

Via: Bobaedream

VIDEO: 2010 Hyundai ix35 / Tucson iX in Motion

The all-new 2010 Hyundai ix35 or as it will be named in South Korea, the Tucson ix, doesn't make its world debut until the 2009 Frankfurt motorshow in September, but in addition to the first batch of official photos (see here), Hyundai has now released a promotional video showing the Tucson SUV's replacement on the road. You can watch the film right after the jump, but just so you know, Britney Spears haters might want to lower the volume before clicking on play....

2010 Hyundai ix35 - Tucson: Comprehensive Gallery with 40 Photos

This is Hyundai's all-new second generation Tucson that will be officially revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. As we've already told you, Hyundai's new compact crossover has been renamed to ix35 for the European market and Tucson ix for South Korea. We're still not sure what the North American market model will be called, but U.S. buyers should expect to see the Tucson's replacement making its first public outing at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

The new ix35 carries over much of the 'swoopy' styling of the 2009 Geneva Salon ix-onic concept study and overall, it's a step forward in terms of design from the current generation model. The Korean automaker said that the design cues seen on ix35 including the pronounced hexagonal grille and the dramatic front-end styling will used on future Hyundai models.

Even though Hyundai only published a single image of the ix35 (above), we found a complete gallery of the Korean-spec model that you can check out below. The cosmetic differences between the two models are limited to the body trim, the shape of the front fog lights and housings, the headlamp crystals and the absence of turning signals on the exterior mirrors on the ix35 (they'll make their way on the 2013MY facelift model...).

Although no details were released on the powertrain options for the ix35 that will be built at sister company Kia's Zilina plant in Slovakia, Hyundai said that the new model will deliver "markedly better" fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions than rival SUVs and compete head on in terms of running costs with mainstream hatchbacks.

At launch, the KDM Tucson ix will be available with a choice of a 2.0-liter diesel or gasoline engines producing 184 horsepower and 166 horsepower respectively. Buyers will be able to opt between six-speed manual and automatic transmissions as well as front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions.

It is expected that the European-spec model will at some point be offered with a new 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing around 170 horsepower.

More detailed information about the ix35 will be released at the Frankfurt Motor Show.