Hyundai, a South Korean multinational automotive manufacturer, showcased three new-look SUVs with pre-production versions of the new-generation Santa Fe, Tucson facelift, and Kona Electric, at the recently concluded New York Motor Show in the US.

Going on sale in the summer of 2018, the fourth generation Santa Fe builds on its predecessors’ success, offering an all-new family-oriented interior, loaded with practical cutting-edge technologies and featuring bold exterior looks. It combines new styling with outstanding driving dynamics and high-specification convenience features, said a statement from the company.

The face of the new Santa Fe is highlighted by Hyundai’s signature cascading grille and a composite light design comprising LED daytime running lights positioned on top of the LED headlights. The exterior design is characterised by a powerful wide stance and an athletic body, enhanced by refined lines that reinforce the vehicle’s status in Hyundai’s SUV lineup, it said.

The profile of the Santa Fe features a dynamic character line that goes all the way from the headlights to the taillights, and a larger daylight opening (DLO) with a satin surround that provides a sleek impression along with better visibility, it added.

Displayed alongside the Santa Fe was the refreshed Tucson compact SUV, updating the current third generation to provide a strong visual connection between the two SUV models and bringing the car into line with Hyundai’s evolving design DNA.

Upgrades inside and out include the signature cascading grille, new centre stack design, and more advanced safety features.

Both models are expected to be strong sellers in Middle East and Africa (MEA) markets, said a statement.

Mike Song, head of operations – MEA region, Hyundai, said: “The Santa Fe and Tucson have played a very big role in our success worldwide, and that has been very true in our region.”

“These latest evolutions offer a strong sense of connection between the two models, and also give our all-important crossover SUVs a strong sense of generational harmony with other models through their use of our current brand design themes,” he added.

Also on display in New York was the US-market version of the convention-breaking Kona Electric, an eco-friendly adaptation of the Kona premium B-segment SUV, it said.

Designed to appeal to urban customers with active lifestyles, the model launched internationally with petrol and diesel engines during 2017.

The Kona Electric adds to Hyundai’s growing portfolio of electric-powered models and has an estimated range of around 400 km on a single charge, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service