Hyundai Kona N teased
First SUV from Hyundai’s N performance brand breaks official coverIt’s become Australia’s second best-selling mainstream small SUV since its launch in late 2017 and has even spawned an all-electric version, and now the Hyundai Kona has been confirmed as the first SUV in the Korean brand’s growing N performance vehicle range.
News of the Hyundai Kona N first surfaced in 2018, before pre-production prototypes were photographed – twice – in 2020, including at the Nurgurgring, where these teaser images of a camouflaged version were officially snapped.
Now Hyundai has confirmed the high-performance small SUV, which will have no competitor this side of the vastly more expensive Audi RS Q3, MINI Countryman JCW and Mercedes-AMG GLA 45, will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and eight-speed wet dual-clutch (N DCT) automatic transmission.
That means the 2021 Hyundai Kona N is likely to pack the same upgraded 206kW/392Nm output as the facelifted Hyundai i30 N hot hatch (and all-new i30 N sedan) also due for launch here this year.
In this case, however, it will be matched to all-wheel drive and almost certainly positioned above the most expensive Kona AWD variant, which is currently priced at $40,200 plus on-road costs.
Apart from more performance than standard Kona AWD models, which are powered by a 130kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine matched to a seven-speed DCT, Hyundai says the Kona N will bring “a powerful and nimble driving experience”, along with “a variety of high-performance driving features, such as launch control and an exciting sound experience”.
Based on the facelifted Kona due on sale here in February, Hyundai’s newest N model will be one of eight new N or N Line products to arrive in Australia this year, including the facelifted i30 N hatch, new i30 N sedan, all-new i20 N and Sonata N Line.
“As N brand’s first ‘hot SUV’, Kona N will offer plenty of versatility and driving thrills that N-thusiasts have come to expect from the brand. You can take this vehicle anywhere – from road to the track,” said Till Wartenberg, vice-president and head of N brand management and motorsport subdivision at Hyundai Motor Company.
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