Thursday 6 October 2011

Hyundai ix35

Hyundai iX35 introduction to the world. We are told that although it is essentially

Hyundai ix35  
 Hyundai ix35
Hyundai ix35  
Things are not what they seem. That's the thrust of the new Hyundai iX35
Hyundai ix35

Hyundai ix35

Hyundai ix35

Hyundai ix35

Hyundai ix35

Hyundai ix35

Hyundai ix35

Hyundai ix35

Hyundai ix35

Hyundai ix35


Hyundai ix35

To further broaden its appeal, Hyundai Ix35 latest fuel engine and six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Western European customers will be offered a choice of two gasoline engines and clean burning economical: The Theta II 2.0 measured at 166ps and 20.1kg.m torque, which emits only 178g/km (2WD MT) of CO2 and Gamma to offer 1.6 GDI 140 hp and torque 17kg.m, available from November 2010 to deliver only 158g/km of CO2. This 1.6 GDI engine will be available with ISG stop-start technology, a further reduction of CO2 emissions to only 149 g / km.
The Hyundai ix35 is based on a 2640mm wheelbase is 10 mm longer than the Hyundai Tucson output. 4410mm 1820mm and is also a longer and wider than its predecessor (by 85 mm and 20 mm, respectively), which improves interior space of the cabin, but the overall height of 1660mm has been lowered by 20 mm, without affecting margins.

Internal lines echo the dynamic flow of sheet metal. More comfort, engineers have carved leg room and head room (at the same time reducing the overall height of the vehicle). To feel cabin will further improve the new dual-panel panoramic sunroof, front and rear passengers will benefit. The center panel can be tilted open or fully open by pushing up and over the rear panel.
Gauge cluster - with blue backlight - a loan monitoring technology, the Genesis sedan to view key information on the crystal clarity and minimal stress to the eyes.

The development team Hyundai Ix35 away from the box to two all-terrain look for a leaner, more profile reformed to a more spacious cabin, additional storage capacity and leadership in fuel economy.
Hyundai new language "fluid" design is expressed confidence in the exploration, the gentle curves of the Hyundai ix35. Hexagonal grid movements beforehand ix-ONIC Hyundai concept to Geneva Motor Show 2009 in the mass production of the Hyundai ix35, a definition that will unify the family of future Hyundai products. To achieve the desired dynamic and sporty image, Hyundai ix35 comes an aggressive beltline, along with an underground feel which is enhanced by the optional 225/55 R18 tires.

Things are not what they seem. That's the thrust of the new Hyundai iX35's introduction to the world. We are told that although it is essentially a compact SUV, a role within Hyundai's range that it takes over from the Tucson, it can actually be all things to nearly all buyers.

The iX35 – designed and engineered in Germany, incidentally – is slightly shorter than a new Vauxhall Astra (but then the Astra is corpulent for a "compact" hatchback). A well-equipped iX35 – they start at £17,995, rising to £20,745 – costs less than a basic Ford Focus (but the Focus has become overpriced). Running costs, servicing costs, and CO2-based taxation are all lower than various notional MPV and hatchback rivals, plus you get a very impressive five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.

Sounds good. And you get to project to the world the notion that you have a stylish life and a propensity towards physical activity and wholesome ideals. There is some of that residual 4x4 baggage, but this is a friendly 4x4, treading lightly upon the planet.

Yes, yes. This is all very nice in theory. But even if the iX35 occupies no more road space than a typical compact hatchback, it certainly feels like it does. Its height is part of the reason, an attribute which adds to the sense of bulk and makes it feel wider than it is, not least because the verge is further away and its position harder to judge. At speed, at night, in the rain on a narrow, winding road, is when you feel this the most.

The height, albeit lower than the outgoing Tucson's, gives the iX35 a bulk and presence which together do make it more in-your-face, or in-your-mirror, than a hatchback. So owners won't be entirely absolved from anti-4x4 opprobrium, however misplaced. The misplacement is all the greater if the iX35 in question has, as most of them probably will, mere front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive. Indeed, the petrol-fuelled version can't be had any other way.

Inside, the iX35 is described as more "premium" than previous Hyundais, a claim based on some satin-finish mock aluminium, a soft-touch dashboard face and gentle blue instrument illumination, but actually it's no advance here on the already very habitable i30 hatchback. There is more cost-cutting than Hyundai would like you to think, such as hard plastics for the upper door trims and a lack of a one-shot-for-up feature on the driver's electric window, and it's a shame the rear-seat backrests don't fold fully flat.

But the cabin is roomy, and the cheaper Style model has sufficient equipment to make the posh Premium version an unnecessary indulgence. The latter's £1,750 extra cost buys you yet-bigger wheels, cleverer air-con, a large glass panel in the roof and rails on it, part-leather trim, cruise control, the ability to start the engine without that tiresome business of putting a key in a lock, and smoked rear windows for that celebrity look. I don't need any of it.

Do I need four-wheel drive, though? Not unless I'm tackling the sort of lumpy, slippery terrain for which the iX35 looks to have been created, but which few will encounter. None of this alters the welcome fact that the iX35 is a thoroughly pleasing car to drive, especially with the 134bhp diesel engine which is uncommonly smooth, has a proper "voice", and pulls with immediacy and authority from very low speeds.

So muscular is it that it sometimes makes the front wheels tug against the steering as it overcomes the grip, unless you're driving the 4x4 version in which this excess tractive effort is diverted to the rear wheels as needed.

The diesel is the one to have, no question. With front-wheel drive it is slightly faster and more frugal, with four-wheel drive slightly more agile; but both versions steer accurately, cope quite well with bumps, and stay level in corners. And driving them is a pleasure.

Maybe people shouldn't covet SUVs, but they do. That being so, this is a good one to covet: ownership costs will be low, ownership satisfaction will be high. Sounds ideal; just don't sign anything until you have also tried a Skoda Yeti. I know which one I'd choose.

It’s hard to imagine how far Hyundai has come in the last decade. Last year was a monumental year for Hyundai both in Australia and globally. To put things into perspective the Korean giant sold 269,841 vehicles in January 2010 alone, a 50 per cent increase over the same period in 2009.

It also managed to finish in the top five of numerous quality studies (being beaten by the likes of Lexus and Porsche) and is no doubt causing nightmare for the likes of Toyota, General Motors and Ford.

Perhaps the best way to understand the company’s success is in realising that Hyundai has all to gain and nothing to lose. It’s the underdog that is trying to topple the kings, it’s a company that is alive with enthusiasm and excitement about the future. This is more than evident whenever you meet any employee from Hyundai.

So it was with a great deal of excitement that I jumped onboard a Qantas flight from Brisbane to Melbourne to attend the launch of Hyundai’s all new compact SUV, the ix35.

The first thing you’ll notice about the Hyundai ix35 is it’s European looks. Many companies are happy to describe their cars as European designed or inspired, but Hyundai is actually justified in its statement as the car was designed at Hyundai’s Design Centre Europe at Russelsheim in Germany
Each hour was spent in one of the three variants on offer. Before we dig into the driving feel and interior, lets have a look at the variants.

The range starts with the ix35 Active 2WD 2.0-litre petrol (122kW at 6,200rpm and 197Nm of torque at 4,600rpm) five-speed manual coming in at $26,990. This is the only variant and engine type offered with a manual transmission. However it’s also available with a six-speed automatic for $28,990.

If you want it all, the top-of-range ix35 Highlander AWD (only available with the 2.0-litre R-series turbo-Diesel and six-speed automatic) starts at – $37,990.  So there is a total difference of $11,000 from the base model Active 2.0-litre petrol to the range topping Highlander diesel.

Don’t understand the power and torque figures? I’ll give you some examples, the 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine found in the current model Ford Falcon puts out only 391Nm of torque and as far as I can find, no 2.0-litre diesel engine from the Germans can so far match the ix35′s overall figures. This means the ix35 diesel is the variant to go for.

As we drove out of Studio 1 and headed past  Melbourne airport, the pulling power of the diesel became obvious. Although the official fuel economy figures say it uses 7.5 litres to travel 100km, as you can see from the video below, if required, it can do a lot better:
Hyundai ix35

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