Hyundai Tucson N Line unveiled

The Hyundai Tucson N Line has made its global debut following the release of official teaser images last November and is now confirmed for Australian release in the second quarter of this year.

That means Hyundai’s new range-topping mid-size SUV will likely become available here from the launch of the all-new Tucson, which was revealed last September.

Key features of the first Hyundai Tucson N Line include a sportier exterior and interior design and an “optimised” version of the Electronically Controlled Suspension (ECS) adaptive damping technology that will be available in some new Tucson variants.

Hyundai’s latest N Line model will be matched to a range of 1.6-litre four-cylinder T-GDI turbo-petrol powertrains in Europe, where the Tucson is Hyundai’s best-selling model, including non-hybrid, mild-hybrid, hybrid and plug-in hybrid, plus a mild-hybrid 1.6-litre turbo-diesel.

The Australian-spec version is expected to use an uprated, circa-145kW version of the current (non-electrified) 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine, as seen in the soon-to-launch MY21 Hyundai Kona.

This engine is also set to be employed across other model grades rather than being retained as a higher performance tier exclusive to the N Line, leaving the door wide open for a full-blown Hyundai Tucson N to follow at some stage – potentially with the 213kW/422Nm 2.5-litre turbo-four from the Sonata N Line.

The front-end design of the Tucson N Line is dominated by a taller and wider grille with N Line badging and enhanced ‘parametric jewel patterns’ that create additional reflections.

There’s also a more aggressive front bumper treatment with bigger air intake, black bezels are used to frame the headlights, and striking 19-inch alloy wheels fill out the body-coloured wheel-arches.

Unique elements at the rear-end include a longer spoiler (with fins), diffusor and twin exhaust outlets.

N Line customers will also be able to specify a two-tone exterior with Phantom Black roof and the choice of five colours across the rest of the body, including Shadow Grey (exclusive to N Line), Polar White, Engine Red, Sunset Red and Dark Knight.

Cabin highlights include exclusive interior colour pack options, a dedicated N steering wheel and gear shifter, black headlining, metallic pedals and N-branded sports seats with black suede and leather upholstery.

The seats have contrasting red stitching, which is also woven into the door trim and soft-padded centre console box lid, while the dash picks up red accents as well.

The ECS adaptive damping system carries specific tuning for the two European-spec N Line versions that have 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrains (132kW/110kW), with Hyundai engineers aiming for a tighter rein on body movement and sharper steering, among other attributes.

Its inclusion in the Australian model is still to be confirmed, although the entire Tucson range will have unique suspension tuning developed specifically for this market.