Skip to content
2027 Hyundai Tucson prototype with a destroyed front tire and smoke coming from the brake

2027 Hyundai Tucson Prototype Literally Blew Its Tires Off During Testing

Stephen M 2 min read

Hyundai's redesigned Tucson prototype caught fire and destroyed its front tires during a brake test in the Austrian Alps.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2027 Hyundai Tucson prototype experienced a catastrophic brake failure during testing in the Austrian Alps.
  • The incident destroyed both front tires and caused a fire.
  • The redesigned Tucson features a boxy, rugged styling inspired by the larger Santa Fe.
  • The cabin boasts a massive 17-inch screen and retains physical controls.
  • Powertrain details remain under wraps, but revised gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options are expected.

What Happened During the Brake Test?

The Hyundai Tucson prototype was being tested in the Austrian Alps when its brakes overheated, causing a fire and destroying both front tires.

The incident occurred while engineers were hauling a trailer up and down a mountain to evaluate the SUV’s braking performance.

Support vehicles reportedly emptied their fire extinguishers onto the burning front brake, but the drama wasn’t over yet.

What Does the Redesigned Tucson Look Like?

The 2027 Hyundai Tucson features a dramatic departure from today’s model, swapping its busy, almost sporty styling for a much tougher, boxier look inspired by the bigger Santa Fe.

The redesigned crossover has a more modern feel than its predecessor, with a huge tablet-style infotainment display dominating the cabin.

What’s New Inside the Cabin?

The cabin boasts a massive 17-inch screen for the Pleos infotainment system, but Hyundai has acknowledged that customers still appreciate physical controls.

The Tucson will retain real buttons beyond those on the redesigned steering wheel, including two twirlable knobs separated by a row of switches below the big display.

What About Powertrain Options?

Powertrain details remain under wraps, but revised gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options are expected to feature, all with no more than four cylinders and a choice of front- and all-wheel drive.

Rumors of a real Tucson N haven’t gone away, though Hyundai has yet to confirm anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened during the brake test?

The Hyundai Tucson prototype’s brakes overheated, causing a fire and destroying both front tires.

Q: What does the redesigned Tucson look like?

The 2027 Hyundai Tucson features a boxy, rugged styling inspired by the larger Santa Fe.

Q: What’s new inside the cabin?

The cabin boasts a massive 17-inch screen for the Pleos infotainment system and retains physical controls.

Related Articles