Hyundai Tucson N gets a slew of cosmetic changes and interior enhancements over the standard model and is offered in both FWD and AWD
Hyundai’s performance N division is definitely on the move and after successfully introducing the i30 N in July 2017 and the i30 Fastback N in September 2018, the hot version of the Tucson has been revealed and it makes all the right noises. It has a distinctive exterior compared to the regular SUV that received a facelift in global markets last year.
The Hyundai Tucson N comes with a sportier exterior and is instantly recognisable as a Tucson nevertheless. The blackened front grille has chrome surrounds and the sleek headlamps with integrated LED Daytime Running Lights give a smoked out appearance. The completely redesigned front and rear bumpers are unique to the N line.
The 19-inch multi-spoke black alloy wheels complement the overall package and a thick black cladding runs from the lower part of the bumper below the fog lamps and continues through the side profile and on to the rear above the silver underbody protection. The roof gets a black finish, so are the B- and C-pillars along with shark fin antenna, wing mirror caps and roof rails.
The rear end of the Tucson N boasts twin exhaust tips and an integrated spoiler finished in black. Just as the other two models, Hyundai has made several mechanical changes to the performance variant of the SUV such as a retuned suspension system for enabling sportier handling characteristics and a tweaked steering wheel.
The springs have been stiffened by 8 per cent and 5 per cent at the rear with software calibrations for more nifty feedback. The front seats, for instance, have better later support than the standard model and contrast red stitching can be found on the inside alongside N logos on the seats and gear lever. The regular pedals have been replaced by an alloy unit as well for the betterment of driving capability.
The Hyundai Tucson N can be had with petrol or two choices of mild-hybrid diesel powertrains. The 1.6-litre four-cylinder gasoline mill produces 174 hp while the 1.6-litre 134 hp and 2.0-litre 182 hp diesel engines are also on offer.
Unlike the i30 N and i30 Fastback N, the engine has not been tuned to generate more power but a 340 hp turbo unit is said to be in the works. The Tucson N is available in FWD and AWD configurations with six-speed MT or seven-speed DCT gearbox options.