What's new on the 'new' Hyundai ix35?

Not much has changed on the outside, especially the signature Peter Schreyer hexagonal grille, but...

Not much has changed on the outside, especially the signature Peter Schreyer hexagonal grille, but...

Published Mar 4, 2013

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This is the first official picture of the Hyundai's 'new' ix35 C-segment SUV, which will make its world debut tomorrow (5 March) at the Geneva motor show - and is expected to be in Hyundai showrooms across South Africa by the end of next week - one more proof that Korea's biggest carmaker takes the South African market pretty seriously.

But why the inverted commas around the adjective 'new' in the first line?

Well, on the one hand, not a lot has changed; the two-litre Theta II petrol engine has been replaced by the direct-injection Nu two-litre, developed in Europe, for which Hyundai claims more power while burning less fuel.

The diesel gets a low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation system to reduce emissions without compromising performance.

The 2013 ix35 also gets a new, three-mode Flex Steer system, whereby drivers can choose from Normal, Comfort and Sport modes to tailor feedback levels and the overall driving experience.

Bi-Xenon headlamps and electronic stability control are now standard across the range, as is Bluetooth connectivity - with the exception of the entry-level GL Model - while the dashboard gets a new liquid-crystal infotainment display, detail trim enhancements and a range of material upgrades.

Three years ago the original ix35 introduced European customers to Hyundai's current Fluidic Sculpture design language.

So, apart from the headlights, not much has changed on the outside, especially designer Peter Schreyer's trademark hexagonal grille.

The ix35 became the fastest-selling model in the brand's European history and remains popular with buyers - selling more than 87 000 units in 2012.

But what's really different about the 2013 ix35's we're getting in South Africa is they come from Hyundai's eastern European plant at Nošovice in the Czech Republic, whereas previous SA-market ix35's came from Korea so, in one way at least, it is a new model.

Prices will be confirmed as the ix35's reach the showrooms.

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