New Hyundai Tucson gets 48V Mild Hybrid Diesel

The new facelifted Hyundai Tucson arrived at the New York Motor Show in March, and as it arrives in the UK Hyundai reveal its new 48V mild hybrid diesel engine.

Hyundai revealed a facelift for the Tucson SUV in March at the New York Motor Show, and now we get the UK and Europe version. But we also get a new Tucson with a new powerplant – a 48V mild hybrid diesel.

The facelift we first saw in New York delivers the usual facelift titivations, with new bumpers, new lights, more technology, including new Sound, wireless phone charging and stuff like Smart Cruise and Surround View Monitor.

But as the new facelifted Tucson gets set to be launched in the UK in the summer, Hyundai reveal it has another trick up its sleeve – a new 2.0 litre 48V mild hybrid diesel engine.

Just as Kia has done with the Sportage, Hyundai is turning to a 48V mild hybrid powertrain for their 2.0 litre diesel which will reduce emissions by around seven per cent. Not massive, but it all helps.

The mild hybrid setup comprises a small 0.44kWh 48 volt lithium ion battery, a mild hybrid starter generator (MHSG), and LDC Converter and an inverter.

When you stick your foot down, the MHSG kicks in up to 16bhp which, in theory, reduces the amount of diesel needed, switching automatically to energy recuperation when not being used for get up and go. When you brake the MHSG recuperates energy to recharge the battery. Simples.

The new mild hybrid diesel engine in the new Tucson is the most powerful in the new Tucson’s lineup with 183bhp, and by next year it will be joined by a new 48V Smart Stream 1.6 litre diesel option.

The new Hyundai Tucson goes on sale in the UK in the summer.