Hyundai ix35 will go on sale across Europe in the first quarter of 2010. The ix35, besides expressing Hyundai’s so-called “fluidic sculpture” design language,  also benefits from an all-new engine line-up.
The Tucson’s change will be offered with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine rated at 166-horsepower and 20.1kg.m (145 lb-ft.) of torque and the 2.0-liter “R” diesel that comes in a choice of two flavors, a high output version with 184 hp and 40kg.m (289 lb-ft.) of torque, and a base version with 136-horsepower and 32kg.m (231 lb-ft.) of torque.
The Hyundai ix35’s European range, starting from November 2010,  will be enhanced with the addition of a new 1.6-liter GDI gasoline unit that makes 140 hp and 17kg.m (123 lb-ft.) of torque, with 158g/km of CO2 (149 g/km when fitted with Hyundai’s ISG start-stop tech), and an also new 1.7-liter turbo diesel rated at 115hp and 26 kg.m (188 lb-ft) of torque, with CO2 emissions of 149 g/km (2WD MT) when equipped with ISG.
In or der to ride as well as to minimize intrusion into the cabin and improve handling, the Korean automaker adopted a multi-link rear suspension for the ix35, while the front suspension set-up up employs Macpherson struts.
The ix35 will offer consumers the choice of front- and all-wheel drive while two new safety features make their appearance on the compact CUV/SUV, the Hill start Assist Control and Downhill Brake Control.
The ix35 rides on a 2,640mm wheelbase which is 10mm longer than the outgoing Tucson while at 4,410mm and 1,820mm, it is also longer and wider than its predecessor by 85mm and 20mm, respectively, thus promising to offer improved passenger space.
Despite the fact that the overall height of 1660mm has been lowered by 20mm, the Korean firm says it has not affected headroom compared to the Tucson. As a matter of fact, Hyundai said that greater travel in the front seat adjustment actually gives more legroom and headroom for taller drivers.
The center console box, according to the Korean company, has an enlarged capacity of 6.2 liters while the height of the rear cargo screen has been raised for extra capacity and a small storage binnacle has been added in the rear cargo area.
Notable new features for the ix35 include the “ECO” LED icon located between the speedometer and tachometer that flashes when the optimum gear shift point for maximum fuel efficiency is reached; a new rear-view camera that operates in conjunction with a 3.5-inch color LCD built into the rear-view mirror; push button start; steering wheel-mounted audio remote controls and low rolling resistance tires for 16-inch wheels.
Tucson’s successor production for the domestic market started at Hyundai’s Ulsan factory in South Korea in September.
The compact crossover European version will be built at the Kia Motors factory in Zilina, Slovakia, with production slated to begin in the first quarter of 2010. Finally, the Chinese market ix35 will be made in China by the company’s Beijing Hyundai joint-venture.

Hyundai’s new Tucson will be officially revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. Hyundai’s new compact crossover has been renamed to ix35 for the European market and Tucson ix for South Korea.

The new ix35 carries over much of the ’swoopy’ styling of the 2009

Geneva Salon ix-onic concept study and overall, it’s a step forward in terms of design from the current generation model. The Korean automaker said that the design cues seen on ix35 including the pronounced hexagonal grille and the dramatic front-end styling will used on future Hyundai models.

Even though Hyundai only published a single image of the ix35 (above), we found a complete gallery of the Korean-spec model that you can check out below. The models’ cosmetic differences are limited to the body trim, the shape of the front fog lights and housings, the headlamp crystals and the absence of turning signals on the exterior mirrors on the ix35 (they’ll make their way on the 2013MY facelift model…).

Hyundai said that the new model will deliver “markedly better” fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions than rival SUVs and compete head on in terms of running costs with mainstream hatchbacks.

The KDM Tucson ix will be available with a choice of a 2.0-liter diesel or  184 horsepower producing gasoline engines and 166 horsepower respectively. Buyers will be able to opt between six-speed manual and automatic transmissions as well as front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions.

The European-spec model is expected to be offered with a new 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing around 170 horsepower.

More information on ix35  will be released at the Frankfurt Motor Show.