New Hyundai Tucson N 2021 not happening after all? 254kW-plus Volkswagen Tiguan R rival stillborn: report

If you were looking forward to Hyundai stepping up to take on performance mid-size SUVs with a full-fat Tucson N, there’s a new report that claims the flagship won’t happen, despite being heavily rumoured.

According to Korean Car Blog, the Tucson N will not form part of the new-generation Tucson range that will be revealed on September 15.

The South Korean publication had previously reported details on the Tucson N, including its version of Hyundai’s new 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, which supposedly had “at least” 254kW of power and an unknown amount of torque.

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However, Korean Car Blog has now clarified the ‘document’ it cited in the past was incorrect, with a separate source confirming the next Tucson range will instead be topped by a sporty Tucson N-Line with a 213kW/422Nm tune of the supposed Tucson N’s engine.

The Tucson N-Line has been heavily rumoured, too, and in more detail than the Tucson N, but given Hyundai already produces such a model in current-generation form, it’s almost a sure bet at this stage.

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Expect the Tucson N-Line to combine an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with an all-wheel-drive system for hotter-than-warm bursts of acceleration.

Meanwhile, the ‘regular’ Tucson range is likely be available with new turbocharged four-cylinder engine options, including a 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel that’s yet to have its outputs detailed. A ‘self-charging’ hybrid version of the former is also set to be offered, producing 169kW/350Nm.

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So, why no Tucson N after all? The South Korean publication says the Tucson is not the type of vehicle that’s driven on track, so it doesn’t need a version that rivals performance mid-size SUVs, a mainstream segment of which is emerging with the likes of the 235kW Volkswagen Tiguan R.

Interestingly, Hyundai will still introduce a performance SUV soon, except it will be of the small variety, with the Kona N to launch as part of the facelifted Kona range.