Two new Hyundai SUVs launched

Tucson and Terracan are the names of two new sport utility vehicles (SUVs) launched earlier this month by Meridian Enterprises Ltd, local agents of Hyundai.

Hastings Gardens, with Grand Harbour as a backdrop, was the venue on a torridly hot afternoon. According to Ryan Buttigieg, Meridian's marketing manager, Hyundai's future is "looking bright".

In the United States, he pointed out, Hyundai's brand value rose to unprecedented levels. Last April in J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality Study (IQS), Hyundai Motor America moved up eight rankings from 2003 finishing in a tie for second place.

HMA was also the most improved in the 2004 IQS corporate ranking. In the IQS Nameplate ranking, Hyundai is also the most improved nameplate with a gain of 29 per cent, moving from 23rd position in 2003 up to seventh position in 2004.

The company closed the year with record breaking sales, achieving year-on-year growth of 5.3 per cent. This year sales are expected to pass the two million mark for the first time.

The marketing of high value added, high-margin vehicles, such as the Santa Fe, Sonata and XG, is being stepped up. Two new models have been introduced: the Tucson SUV and NF, the successor to the Sonata.

Turning to the new models, Mr Buttigieg said the new Tucson will position Hyundai firmly in a major, growing segment in the European market. It was launched at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, where it was warmly greeted by both the public and the press as an exciting, significant and logical addition to the Hyundai European range.

"More compact than its Santa Fe stable mate, Tucson brings Hyundai quality and design into a highly competitive section of the SUV market, offering a combination of highest power output, widest engine range and highest number of safety features in its segment," he said.

Unlike the overall global car market, which is expected to grow some 3.3 per cent annually between 2004 and 2008, the market for compact SUVs is expected to expand by some 6.6 per cent. This makes it an extremely important and attractive market sector for Hyundai, one in which they expect to sell 200,000 Tucsons by 2006, with up to 65,000 of these destined for the European markets.

The other new model is the Terracan where, he stressed, both on and off the road Hyundai's biggest and most powerful SUV yet "rules". Rugged and refined, the Terracan comes with "a well-equipped interior that gives you the length, width and height that you need for uncompromising comfort and cargo hauling capability. Its wide, powerful stance and sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension ensure the smoothest possible ride around town or on the trail."

Sales manager Jonathan Said then gave a rundown of the features and specifications of the two new SUVs. The Tucson is a 4 x 4 that can be used on green laning and semi-rough terrain since its intelligent four-wheel drive system works with traction control and engages all the wheels to turn at the same speed, controlling sliding and skidding on mud, gravel and sand. All this happens at the touch of a button.

When engaged, the 4WD system can help drivers to venture onto off-road terrain. The Electronic Interactive Torque Management four-wheel-drive system turns all wheels at the same time without losing traction and grip. The system is not intended to be used for normal on-road driving as it hinders the Tucson's steering control while the differentials would not be able vary speed between front and back wheels.

To avoid this happening, this advanced system is only functional up to 35 km/h and the electronic 4WD system automatically disengages once you exceed that speed. Thus, when driven on tarmacked roads the Tucson is a normal 2WD vehicle, improving fuel efficiency and tyre wear.

Prices start at Lm12,500, with standard features including: a 2.0-litre CRDi engine developing 115 bhp, power steering, remote central locking, front and rear electric windows, electric mirrors, driver and passenger airbags, tinted glass including rear passengers' private glass, anti-theft system plus alarm, climate control, roof rails, alloy wheels, radio-cassette, interior fascia metal grain, abs brakes, two-tone body kit and traction control on the optional 4wd vehicles.

The Terracan, with prices starting at Lm16 500, employs a different 4WD system. All the functions are controlled electronically and engaged by a switch at the discretion of the driver both from standstill or in motion.

It has a 4wd High (engaging all four wheels), which can be used on the road when encountering difficult conditions, like rain or gravel, where the SUV can be driven normally without any restrictions. It also has a system, called reduction 4WD Low, which helps the driver in very difficult conditions, such as steep hills, down slopes, high angle on inclinations.

This uses a reduction gearing, helping the engine to transfer its power at very low speeds, avoiding skidding and also unnecessary wheelspin.

The Terracan is a rear wheel drive vehicle and when driven on the road normally cruises on the 2WD mode to save diesel and tyre wear.

Standard features include: a 2.9-litre CRDi diesel engine delivering 150 bhp, power steering, remote central locking, front and rear electric windows, electric mirrors, driver and passenger airbags, tinted glass, air-conditioning, roof rails, alloy wheels, radio-cassette, interior fascia metal grain, ABS brakes and two-tone body kit.