Hyundai Becomes Preferred Supplier for UK Police

Bob Dylan once said, "The Times They Are A-Changin'." If you lived in Britain in the 1950s and '60s, you'd see custodian helmeted policemen driving around in Morris Minors and Ford Anglias. In the '70s you'd see mustachioed policemen driving around in Ford Consuls and Rover 3500s. Then the '80s rolled around and there were policemen and women cruising around in Rover SD1s and Land Rovers.

Then, starting from the late 1980s, something strange happened. Rover - one of the most British of carmakers - started rebadging Hondas. In the 1990's, Germans, who had lost the War, began buying all of Britain's beloved marquees. And the UK Police, who had always bought British before, began buying Mitsubishis. The world had gone mad.

Now, in 2010, Hyundai has been awarded 'preferred supplier' status by the National Association of Police Fleet Managers. That means the UK Police Forces can buy Hyundai's new vehicles.

It's a big sales and publicity boost for Hyundai. Each year, 2,000 cars are acquired by London's Metropolitan Police and a further 7,800 are acquired for work outside the city.

Managing director of Hyundai UK, Tony Whitehorn, said: "Anyone buying a car needs to make sure that they are getting the best possible package for their money. That's especially true when you are buying thousands of vehicles and spending taxpayers' money! The quality, reliability, resale value and performance of Hyundai vehicles has shone through and they've been given the green light to carry a blue light."

Hyundai said the most popular vehicles are expected to be the i20, i30, ix35, Santa Fe and iLoad van. Can you imagine an i20 police car? Doesn't the mere thought of it make your skin crawl?

For the time being, here's an ix35 / Tucson in police livery. It's an okay looker, though doesn't look half as smart as a Land Rover in the same outfit. Maybe I'm just bitter. Oh well, at least Officer Plod will have iPod integration and ESC as standard. That'll show them hoodlums whose boss.

By Tristan Hankins

Hyundai Spoofs Top Gear and Clarkson in New ix35 TV Ads [with Videos]

Hyundai of South Africa has turned the tables around on BBC's outrageously popular television series, Top Gear, with two new commercials for the iX35 crossover (new Tucson in the States) that mock the show and its famous hosts. Hit the jump and watch the 'Moose' and the 'Stag' getting their... hooves on the new Tucson in the latest episode of 'Top Deer'.

Via: Worldcarfans

Living the High Life: Hyundai Makes it to Harrods

In a bit of a marketing stretch, Hyundai is trying to "sell" its new iX35 compact crossover (sold as the 2010 Tucson in North America) at the kind of crowd that shops at Harrods' luxury department store in Knightsbridge, London. The South Korean firm's new crossover model will be on show in Harrods' Brompton Road window displays for a week starting from Monday 7th June.

Hyundai's managing director, Tony Whitehorn said: "We are very proud to have our newest model on display in such an iconic location. Like everything in Harrods, the ix35 has been designed to be stylish, great value and of the highest quality."

The automaker said that staff members from its UK division will be on hand at the department store to answer any product questions about the new iX35.

Hyundai Prices New ix35 SUV from £16,495 in the UK

The new Hyundai ix35, which replaces the Tucson in the Korean firm's European lineup, will cost between £16,495 and £20,745 when it goes on sale in the UK on March 25, the automaker announced today.

At launch the ix35 will be available with a base 161bhp 2.0-liter petrol unit in two-wheel drive form only and a 134bhp 2.0-liter common rail turbo diesel that's offered as a two-wheel and four-wheel drive model.

The entry-level Style trim models come equipped with standard features such as as 17-inch alloy wheels, ESP, air conditioning, built-in Bluetooth phone connectivity, heated front and rear seats, electric heated door mirrors with integrated LED side repeaters, leather steering wheel and gearknob, reverse parking sensors and a trip computer.

The Premium models add 18-inch alloys, a double-length panoramic glass sunroof, automatic headlights, cruise control, dual zone climate control, electric folding door mirrors, keyless entry with engine start/stop button, rear privacy glass, rain-sensing wipers, part-leather upholstery and roof rails.

Later in the year Hyundai will expand the ix35's range with the introduction of a 1.6 gasoline engine with direct injection technology and a new 1.7-liter turbo diesel. More details on these models will be announced in the summer.

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Model	On-the-road price (includes VAT, delivery, number plates, 12 months VED
2.0 5-dr 2WD Style	£16,495
2.0 CRDi 5-dr 2WD Style	£17,995
2.0 CRDi 5-dr 4WD Style	£18,995
2.0 CRDi 5-dr 2WD Premium	£19,745
2.0 CRDi 5-dr 4WD Premium	£20,745