Hyundai's ix35 replaces Tucson, Frankfurt debut

Hyundai has confirmed it will call its Tucson replacement the ix35, and will launch it for the European marke at next month's Frankfurt motor show. The ix35 has been conceived and engineered in Europe at the company’s Frankfurt-based design and technical centres, and is reported to carry over many of the styling cues of the ix-onic concept car, which was displayed at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

The Hyundai ix35 is expected to be offered with both front and four-wheel drive. In Europe, Hyundai expects around 95 per cent of the car’s sales to be in front-wheel drive and it is being pitched as a car for on-road use, rather than as an off-roader.

A revised Hyundai Santa Fe will also be displayed at Frankfurt. The Santa Fe comes with new styling, a new powertrain, steering and suspension.

Mated to the recently-launched diesel engine, codenamed ‘R’, Hyundai claims these modifications result in a 'balanced and refined model, well suited to on-road and off-road driving'.

Hyundai had showcased the Santa Fe in India at the 2008 Auto
Expo and at the Autocar Performance show to gauge public interest.

The dull looking Tucson was discontinued in India after a lacklusture stint. If Hyundai decides to bring this stunning looking SAV to India with a diesel engine under the hood, it could be a very different story for the ix35.