Hyundai's Tucson replacement exposed

Hyundai's Tucson-replacing iX35 has been prematurely unmasked by these leaked images, which have surfaced on the web ahead of the vehicle's Frankfurt motor show debut.

The newcomer will slot into Hyundai's SUV line-up below the Santa Fe, and will take the fight to the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, et al.

These pics reveal a sleeker, more contemporary looking offering than the staid Tucson, and it shares a basic family resemblance with its Santa Fe stablemate. That said, it's not quite as eye-catching as the ix-onic concept that bowed at this year's Geneva motor show.

The iX35 will be offered in front-drive and all-wheel-drive formats, and will be pitched as a primarily tarmac-oriented wagon. The engine line-up will reportedly comprise direct-injection 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines, as well as a 135kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel.

Hyundai's sister brand, Kia, will also reap economies of scale by using the same architecture for its upcoming Sportage

The iX35 continues Hyundai's policy of designating its models with alphanumeric badges, an initiative that's ostensibly conceived to lend the line-up with a Euro-esque cachet (as Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo have long used the same approach).

The sole interior shot available for now reveals an instrument cluster that's not too dissimilar to that of the ix-onic concept, and a company source quoted by UK's Autocar magazine suggested the cabin would have a "high-quality" feel.

Backed by keen pricing, the existing Tucson remains a strong seller for Hyundai, with 6246 sales until the end of July. The only compact SUVs to outsell it so far this year are the Subaru Forester (8696 sales) and Toyota RAV4 (7181 sales).

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