Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai TucsonHyundai

Hyundai Motor India Limited is inching closer to the launch of its third SUV and emerging reports indicates the Tucson's launch date has been scheduled on October 24.

Hyundai India aims to achieve 50 percent localisation for the Tucson, the SUV to be positioned between the Creta and the Santa Fe. Hyundai had sold the first generation of the Tucson during 2005-2010. It was discontinued due to poor sales owing to steep pricing. It was reported that Hyundai is being careful about the pricing of the SUV this time, with the expected price starting from Rs 18 lakh.

In its third generation, the Tucson comes with Fluidic 2.0 design philosophy. The face of the SUV is dominated by the signature large hexagonal grille in chrome, flanked by sweptback LED headlamps. Tucson has more rounded body panels in line with Santa Fe. The raked rear windscreen extends coupe SUV kind of looks to the Tucson complemented by slim sleek tail lamps.

The SUV is built on a new platform that offers larger cabin space. The interior will be spruced up with leather upholstery for the seats and leather wrapping for the instrument panel and steering wheel. India-spec version is also expected to get Android Auto feature. Android Auto feature synchronises all the functions of mobile devices running the Android operating system to be operated in the vehicle through the dashboard's head unit.

Hyundai Tucson will be powered by a 2.0-litre CRDi diesel engine tuned in two state of tunes- 135bhp and 180bhp, mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. A petrol variant is also expected join the range later.