Hyundai Automotive South Africa has added a pair of Sport models to its Tucson range, handing the flagship variants bold styling kits and added oomph.

Of course, the local arm of the Korean firm offered similar packages for the pre-facelift model back in 2017, selling a total of 516 units. Interestingly, though, the refreshed Tucson Sport is now offered with a choice of powertrains (petrol and diesel).

The first is Hyundai’s familiar turbocharged 1,6-litre petrol engine (mated to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission). Peak outputs have been raised from the standard 130 kW and 265 N.m to 150 kW and 300 N.m, with pricing for this Tucson 1,6T Sport coming in at R654 900.

The Tucson 2,0D Sport, meanwhile, will set you back R664 900, with its 2,0-litre turbodiesel engine now making 150 kW and 460 N.m (up from the standard figures of 131 kW and 400 N.m). This variant employs an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, again driving the front wheels.

Both derivatives feature a bold body kit (comprising a front spoiler lip, faux rear-diffuser and chunky side sills) and model-specific 19-inch alloy wheels. An uprated exhaust system culminating in four tailpipes is also part of the package.

Sport models are based on the Elite trim level, which includes items such as LED headlamps, electrically adjustable leather front seats, a reversing camera, blind-spot detection, a panoramic sunroof and a seven-inch infotainment system (complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality). A spot of simple maths will tell you the Sport variants command a R65 000 premium over their Elite counterparts.

Original article from Car