All-new look for redesigned Tucson

Hyundai will replace its compact Tucson SUV in New Zealand next year with an all-new model called the ix35. Photo / Supplied

Hyundai will replace its compact Tucson SUV in New Zealand next year with an all-new model called the ix35, thereby continuing its naming policy of using the prefix "i" across its range of vehicles.

At the moment there's the i10, i20, i30 line-up of passenger cars. The new Sonata sedan is likely to be called the i50 and the replacement mid-sized Santa Fe the ix55.

The ix35 introduces Hyundai's new 'ix' prefix for SUV/crossover vehicles and follows pioneering 'i' models in the iMax and iLoad commercials and the i30 small car.

The ix35 went on sale in South Korea this week - roughly three weeks before its official unveiling at the Frankfurt motor show.

Hyundai named the Tucson and Santa Fe after the southwest US cities in a deliberate attempt to boost its presence Stateside. But its growth over the past 15 years from a budget Asian carmaker into a quality global player required an international identity for all its vehicles - hence the "i" prefix.

Hyundai has given the redesigned Tucson a sweeping new look, an overhaul it believes will boost annual global sales of the compact five-door to more than 300,000 units.

The ix35 will be joined in Frankfurt by Hyundai's facelifted Santa Fe, which goes on sale here in the next couple of months with a new drivetrain - a 2.2-litre R-series diesel engine and dual-clutch six-speed gearbox.

The ix35 will also get the R-series diesel unit as an option. Hyundai hopes to have the Tucson and its updated petrol and diesel offerings here by next April.

Known by the project name LM, the ix35 was conceived and engineered in Europe at Hyundai's Frankfurt design centre. It took 36 months and about $335 million to develop.

The power output, fuel-efficiency, comfort and safety features have been all upgraded, says Hyundai.

The ix35 is more stylish than the Tucson, thanks to a new hexagonal corporate grille, wedge-shaped side profile, bold character lines and chunky lower bash plates front and rear.