Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid: Up to 50 Kilometers Electrically

The Korean automobile manufacturer Hyundai Motor has announced the first details of the new Tucson Plug-in Hybrid, which will hit the market in the spring. "With the selection of gasoline and diesel with 48-volt hybrid technology, as well as hybrid and plug-in hybrid, the new Tucson offers the widest range of electrified drivetrains in its segment," boasts Jürgen Keller, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor Deutschland GmbH. The drive of the compact SUV is taken over by a combination of a new turbo engine with direct gasoline injection, the 1.6-liter T-GDI Smartstream, with a 66.9-kilowatt electric motor. Its lithium-ion polymer battery offers a capacity of 13.8 kilowatt-hours. Together, the gasoline engine and the electric motor deliver 195 kW (265 hp) maximum power and 350 Nm maximum torque. This makes the plug-in hybrid the most powerful variant in the engine range. The six-speed automatic transmission, in combination with the new electric motor, offers optimal power transmission to all four wheels as standard, variably distributed to the front and rear wheels depending on traction conditions and driving state.

To minimize air resistance and thus reduce both fuel consumption and emissions, the new compact SUV as a plug-in hybrid features an active air flap in the radiator grille. It is designed to regulate the air intake depending on the engine coolant temperature, vehicle speed, and other factors, further enhancing efficiency. At low speeds, the electric machine takes over the drive, directly controllable via the driving mode selection. The electric range of the plug-in hybrid is expected to be over 50 kilometers. Equipped with a 7.2 kW onboard charger, the vehicle can be charged at a public charging station or via a wallbox.

In driver assistance, the intelligent parking assistant stands out, allowing the PHEV to be parked in and out of spaces remotely via the vehicle's remote control. This is intended to relieve the driver, for example, in a tight garage or parking garage situation. The highway assistant, which keeps the vehicle centered in the lane and adjusts the speed using navigation data, is well-known, such as before curves on highways. Exclusive to the new compact SUV, Hyundai offers an emergency braking function for the rear parking assist. The system provides acoustic and visual warnings and brakes if necessary.