In 2010, a revolutionary new Tucson joins the rapidly evolving Hyundai product line. The sleek crossover from Hyundai, with its athletic European design, strikes a stark contrast from its predecessor and improves in every functional area, from its roomier cabin with extra cargo space to its leap in fuel economy and technology. Tucson features the company’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design language and is the first vehicle in Hyundai’s 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative (seven all-new models by the end of 2011).
The all-new Tucson is the first Hyundai CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) to be designed and engineered in Europe at Hyundai’s Frankfurt-based design and technical centers. It features precedent-setting engineering including advanced weight saving technology and the eco-efficient Theta II 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering up to 31 mpg on the highway. True to Hyundai form, the Tucson applies life-saving safety technologies as standard equipment while offering, for the first time, Downhill Brake Control (DBC) and Hillstart Assist Control (HAC). Likewise, to keep its passengers informed and comfortable Tucson integrates Hyundai’s first panoramic sunroof, touch-screen navigation and a Bluetooth® hands-free phone system.
EUROPEAN DESIGN
Key attributes of Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy are the athleticism and sophistication that Tucson demonstrates through its flowing lines, full surfaces and muscular presence. This athletic design language is highlighted by bold, dynamic graphic elements such as the new Hyundai family hexagonal front grille, aggressive lower air intake, sculptured hood creases, swept back headlights, sleek greenhouse and wraparound taillights. Chrome grille accents and door handles lend sophisticationto the top-of-the-line Tucson Limited.
Conceived in a global collaboration among Hyundai’s U.S., Korean and European advanced product groups, with design execution led by the Frankfurt studio, the new Tucson was developed as an urban cruiser. It is tough and compact for life in the city, yet sleek and agile for out-of-town travel.
The Tucson combines dynamic, sculpted, performance-oriented styling with thoughtful everyday utility to create a vehicle that will change the way consumers, especially younger car buyers, think about compact crossovers.
With an overall length of 173.2 inches, a width of 71.7 inches and a height of 66.3 inches (with roof rails), Tucson has a great stance and road presence. The design team fused a light, elegant and sporty upper body with belt lines flowing off both the front and rear wheel arches, to a tough, planted lower body so that it is assertive in the way it sits on the road.
The profile of Tucson features a sports car-like theme with a double-zigzag treatment for the wheel arches that wrap around the available Euroflange 18-inch alloy wheels. The concave sills have a wedge-shaped profile that extends rearward and wraps around into the rear bumper, a first of its kind design in a vehicle of this type. The profile is further enhanced by modern silver roof rails.
2010 TUCSON 61 POUNDS LIGHTER THAN THE OUTGOING MODEL DESPITE BEING THREE INCHES LONGER
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The 2010 Tucson is 3.3 inches longer and one inch wider than its predecessor, yet 61 pounds lighter
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2010 Tucson has a longer wheelbase and overall width than CR-V, Escape and Forester to deliver more packing efficiency
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Body stiffness is 38 percent greater than Rogue
World-class weight efficiency was one of the program targets for the Tucson engineering team. In fact, the 2010 Tucson leads all of its competitors in weight efficiency. Hyundai engineers also targeted leadership in power-to-weight ratio. Having these targets paid huge dividends in both performance and fuel economy.
FUN-TO-DRIVE
The 2010 Tucson’s athletic shape is now complemented with more agile handling, responsive steering and improved body roll control. These enhancements make the new Tucson more fun-to-drive. Tucson uses MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension systems for more precise wheel control and a smoother ride. All four wheels are controlled by coil springs and fade-resistant gas-charged dampers. Stabilizer bar diameters have also increased. The front suspension now has a new 25 mm hollow stabilizer bar to save weight versus the predecessors 21 mm solid stabilizer bar. The rear suspension has a new 18 mm solid stabilizer bar versus the predecessors 14 mm stabilizer bar. Larger stabilizer bars keep the vehicle very flat during cornering and help provide quick turn-in response.
Rack-and-pinion Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) also contributes to the Tucson’s nimble and refined handling dynamics while saving fuel and reducing interior noise. The MDPS system uses the vehicle’s electrical system for power (unlike the older hydraulic system), allowing for increased fuel economy and calibrated steering efforts through all vehicle speed ranges.
Due to the suspension geometry and wider track width that enables greater turn angles, Tucson’s turning circle is 34.7 feet – an advantage Tucson drivers will appreciate in their daily driving and parking. In fact, Tucson’s turning diameter bests Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS
Hyundai’s commitment to making the Tucson extremely fuel efficient continues with a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC® manual control or a standard six-speed manual transaxle.
Hyundai's all-new six-speed automatic transaxle helps the company meet its goals of improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Shifts are silky-smooth with an option of manual control through the SHIFTRONIC feature. Designed for transverse engine applications in passenger cars and SUVs, the new compact transmission puts Hyundai into an elite class of auto manufacturers who have designed their own proprietary six-speed automatic transmissions. The strength of the design is its unique layout which makes it smaller, more compact and lighter than any other six-speed on the market today.
For the customer, the new six-speed delivers a performance edge. In this application (FWD/A/T), it helps bring a 24 percent gain in highway fuel economy (31 mpg versus 25 mpg in the ‘09).
There is no dipstick in the gearbox because it is filled with automatic transmission fluid that is good for the life of the vehicle under normal usage conditions, thereby reducing maintenance costs.
Developed over a four-year period, this new six-speed automatic is 26.4 pounds lighter than Hyundai’s five-speed. It also is 1.6 inches shorter and considerably simpler having 62 fewer parts, which is a key to increased durability, lighter weight and lower cost.
When it comes to transmissions, more gears are definitely better. The addition of a sixth gear enables closer spacing between gear ratios providing a better balance of performance and fuel economy while the wide overall gear ratio helps deliver strong acceleration.
The gearbox has three planetary gearsets and a unique flat torque converter which shortens the unit's overall length by 0.47 inches. Four pinion differentials improve durability and further minimize size.
Another example of engineering ingenuity is found in the design of the hydraulic pressure control unit. Because there are always slight manufacturing deviations from one solenoid valve to the next which cause fluctuation in the hydraulic pressure and affect shift precision and quality, the transaxle features cleverly integrated adjustment screws in the valves which enable each of the eight valves to be calibrated at the factory. This feature ensures stable hydraulic pressure at any shift point which facilitates a high degree of precision and control needed to deliver fast, smooth and precise shifts throughout the rpm range.