Hyundai adds 1.6-litre turbo engine variant to its top-selling Tucson lineup

With the 2.0-litre Tucson making headway in the compact Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment, Hyundai decided it was time to up the ante, with a little booster to amuse the younger drivers.

The new turbocharged 1.6-litre T-GDI engine, which will be available in Singapore in the fourth quarter of this year, comes with a new seven-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) and will deliver a responsive drive of up to 175bhp. The torque kicks in smoothly at 1,500rpm and carries on to 4,500rpm without any lag. The turbocharger features low-inertia turbo-spooling response characteristics and an electronic waste-gate control for more precise control of manifold pressure.

Internally, piston-cooling oil jets ensure cooler piston temperatures for enhanced engine life. The Gamma engine also features a new water jacket insert that prioritises cooling in the upper level of the cylinder block where more combustion heat is generated, resulting in lower cylinder head temperatures and allowing for leaner air/fuel mixtures for better fuel efficiency.

Inside, the Tuscon's interior is sophisticated yet uncluttered. The overall interior touch points have been upgraded with premium, soft-touch materials and the switchgears have a more refined feel during operation. The roominess in this new generation of Tuscon is longer and wider with a longer wheelbase than the previous generation. The boot space has also increased and will fit in a golf bag and baby safety chair neatly.

In an overlap crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the U.S.A, the Hyundai Tucson is the only vehicle in the small SUV category to receive good ratings for both driver and passenger.

The Hyundai Tucson is available in four variants - a 2.0-litre Diesel, 2.0-litre Petrol, 2.0-litre Petrol with Sunroof, and the new 1.6-litre Turbo.