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Hyundai celebrates 30 years in Australia

Michael PalmerEastern Reporter

Hyundai celebrates 30 years

IT’S been 30 years since Hyundai arrived in Australia, starting off in Perth and going on to be one of the nation’s most successful brands.

John Hughes was the first dealer to take on the then new Korean brand and not only became the nation’s top Hyundai dealer, but also on many occasions, the world’s.

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Hyundai is now commemorating its 30-year Oz history with limited-release Special Edition versions of its Tucson and Santa Fe Series II SUVs. Only 300 examples of each model will be made, both with enhanced performance and unique features.

The Tucson “30” is based on the Tucson ActiveX but is fitted with the 130kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine from the higher-grade Elite and Highlander.

It also gets all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission – features not available in the ActiveX.

Priced at $37,750, it also sports matte-black 19-inch alloy wheels, matte-grey side steps and quad exhaust outlets, plus exclusive “ash blue” metallic paint.

Other items, standard on the ActiveX specification include a rear-view camera, rear parking sensors, LED daytime-running lights, auto-on headlights and wipers, foglights, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Aux and USB inputs, leather-trimmed seats, two-way electric lumbar support for the driver along with electric folding and heated side mirrors.

The Hyundai Santa Fe “30” Special Edition costs from $40,790 and has a 199kW/318Nm 3.3litre V6 to replace the usual 138kW/241Nm 2.4-litre four-potter.

But the mighty motor drives through the Santa Fe’s front wheels, while the four-cylinder model has AWD.

Added bits on the anniversary model include leather trim, dual-zone climate control, a cooled glovebox, heated exterior mirrors, chrome exterior door handles, rear privacy glass, 19-inch alloy wheels finished in dark grey and a different hue of blue: “mineral blue metallic”.

It also has a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Like the usual Active model, it carries over the LED daytime-running lights, reversing camera, auto-on lights, touchscreen infotainment system, front and rear air-con.

The Special Editions are available to order now.

Different shades of blue mark Hyundai’s 30 years in Australia. Ash blue for Tucson, mineral blue metallic for the Santa Fe.