In an age of the scrapping of the Hyundai small car to celebrate the greatest achievements are the Koreans before the ix55 their new flagship. The technical highlight of the luxury SUV is the newly developed V6 diesel engine.
The 2.2-ton luxury SUV's since 2007 as Vera Cruz in the USA on the market. After Germany is a much revised version, whose distinctive feature in the U.S. version is a newly developed diesel engine.
For Hyundai Germany CEO Werner H. Frey of the ix55 is primarily an image vehicle. "It emphasizes our core competence in the SUV segment and sets new standards for Hyundai," Frey said at the launch of the vehicle in Leipzig. Hyundai new customers looking for drivers of VW Touareg, Mercedes M-Class, BMW X5 or Lexus RX350. Midsize SUV for drivers as Mercedes GLK, BMW X3 and Audi Q5 will be the ix55 due to its low cost alternative.
Low entry price
The vehicle costs in the basic "comfort" 42,290 euros. The equipment "Premium" fails with 46,990 euros. By comparison, BMW's X5 demands for at least 53,100 euros, the Mercedes M-Class will cost at least 52,540 euros. A VW Touareg car buyers get for 43,300 euros, however motorized significantly weaker.
2009 aims to sell 500 Hyundai ix55. In the first full year it will be 1,300 units. In the overall sales of Hyundai in Germany plays no major role SUV. 50,000 units sold, the importer plans for this year as a whole.
The target group for the Hyundai ix55 made primarily of self-management and in their early to mid-40s, who value comfort, advanced technology and abundant standard equipment. Which is certainly present: In the Comfort version, among other things, an audio system with six speakers, RDS radio, CD player and connections for MP3 players and iPod on board. The automatic climate control with dual zone control for front seats also includes a control unit in the second row of seats and a refrigerated compartment in the front armrest. Electric windows all round, cruise control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a rear-warning system and a rain sensor for the windscreen wipers are also standard.
The premium features, among other heated leather seats front and complement in the second row of seats, a tire pressure monitoring system and an electrically operated tailgate, the standard equipment.
Some features are missing
Other standard features found in this class, however, not even on the list of options, such as distance warning and lane departure warning or adaptive suspension. Also a built navigation system is not yet available, but should be available from autumn - but then with rearview camera and Bluetooth interface.
The build quality is good, the interior is tidy and high quality. Nevertheless, one wishes for a little less plastic. The space offers even for large Grown no reason to complain. Even in the third row of seats that can be sunk into the floor, the developers have provided plenty of legroom. Luggage space is then, however, hardly. Without the extra row of seats, the luggage compartment holds 598 liters.
First V6 diesel Hyundai's history
Interesting novelty in the ix55 is the specially developed three-liter diesel with piezo injectors in the common rail injection. The first V6 diesel in the Hyundai story has an electronic turbocharger with variable vane geometry. The unit was developed in the diesel center of excellence of the brand in Rüsselsheim, and comes equipped with HP 176kW/239 propulsion for the tonnes of SUV. The ix55 reached in 10.4 seconds from a standstill to 100 km / h The engine is quiet and smooth unobtrusive, so that even at the top speed of 200 km / h would like to dwell a little longer on the highway.
The unit is intended for use only with a newly developed six-speed automatic transmission. Consumption is on average 9.4 liters (CO2 emissions: 249 g / km). The ix55 is to roll from May to the German dealers.
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