SPY PICS: 2020 Hyundai Tucson busts out

The fourth-generation Hyundai Tucson has been spotted testing at the Nurburgring ahead of its launch early next year.

Hyundai revealed a “fourth-generation” Tucson for China two weeks ago (also pictured here) and the version destined for other markets is expected to borrow many of its key design elements.

Lightly camouflaged, the Tucson prototype pictured here is believed to be a late-stage mule wearing the finished production car's body panels – although the lack of tail-lights suggest further finessing is required before the all-new mid-size SUV goes on sale in 2020.

From our first glimpse it's clear the next Tucson will wear a derivative of the hydrogen fuel-cell powered Nexo SUV's grille and will be far more rakish than the current model – in line with the Hyundai Kona small SUV (but not the newer and smaller still Hyundai Venue).

Meantime, the Tucson mule's tailgate spoiler and twin exhaust outlets within a rear diffuser also hint it will be sportier.

The prototype you see here features a full roll-cage, race seat and harness required for sustained high-speed brake, suspension and powertrain testing, suggesting it is undergoing performance and durability testing.

Designed to once again rival popular mid-size SUVs like the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4 and Nissan X-TRAIL, the new Tucson is expected to sit on a heavily revised version of the current model’s platform.

There's no word on powertrains, but the fourth-gen Hyundai Tucson is primed get the full N treatment for the first time, with rumours it will get a uprated 255kW version of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that powers the Hyundai i30 N hot hatch.

Hyundai revealed a sports-themed N Line version of the existing Tucson for Europe in March this year, but that model is yet to be confirmed for local release by Australia, which may skip straight to the new model.

With the current Tucson approaching its fifth birthday, Hyundai is expected to reveal its global replacement soon, ahead of its international release throughout 2020.