ONE of the motoring trade’s worst stored secrets and techniques of the previous 12 months has formally been confirmed as we speak with Hyundai Motor Firm Australia (HMCA) lastly saying the Kona N is in improvement and that it’s headed Down Beneath.
As a consequence of arrive regionally by the tip of the 12 months, the Kona N is the ultimate piece of the puzzle in HMCA’s plan to launch eight new N or N-Line merchandise in 2021, the others being the facelifted i30 N hatch, new i30 Sedan N, pint-sized i20 N, Sonata N-Line, Kona N-Line and Tucson N-Line.
Accompanying the announcement have been 10 clear teaser pictures exhibiting a closely camouflaged prototype on monitor and within the wilderness, a transfer reflective of the Kona N’s broader capabilities in comparison with its i30 N sibling.
Regardless of the N-branded camouflage, most of the new hi-po SUV’s physique options are plain to see together with the entrance fascia which seems to be to be a barely extra aggressive development of the one seen on the semi-skim N-Line.
The remainder of the physique options the same old array of N go-faster bits together with chunkier facet skirts, extra aggressive rear apron, twin exhaust suggestions, larger alloy wheels and a decrease journey top.
Given the common Kona shares its platform and operating gear with the traditional i30 hatch, it ought to come as no shock that the Kona N will share most of its mechanicals with the rampant i30 N hatch together with the force-fed 2.0-litre petrol engine in addition to the brand new eight-speed ‘N DCT’ twin clutch computerized transmission.
With this in thoughts, it could be secure to anticipate the Kona N to share the up to date i30 N’s 206kW/392Nm peak outputs nevertheless it stays to be seen if the SUV adopts all-wheel drive versus the hatch’s front-drive set-up.
In line with head of Hyundai N and Motorsport Until Wartenberg, the Kona N will supply “loads of versatility and driving thrills” because the model’s first “hot-SUV”.
Few different particulars have been launched at this stage apart from the aforementioned engine and transmission configurations with launch management being the one different confirmed function.
Whereas the Kona N might be the ultimate piece to HMCA’s 2021 efficiency plan, company communications normal supervisor Invoice Thomas mentioned it’s extra of a distinct segment providing in comparison with the core-focused i20 N and i30 N.
“The precedence was at all times to develop two stable, popular-segment scorching hatches first,” he mentioned.
“So you’ve gotten i30 and i20 (Ns) touchdown within the segments that may set up and solidify our fame the place the core of the market is.
“Now, with Kona N, operating on the identical platform as i30, we’re extending into new territory, a more-niche product that smashes segments broad open.”
The inevitable rival for the Kona N when it arrives would be the looming Volkswagen T-Roc R with no different mainstream manufacturers providing a real efficiency small SUV.
Different upmarket rivals embody the Mercedes-AMG GLA35, BMW X2 M35i and the upcoming Audi SQ2.
HMCA offered 64,807 new automobiles nationally final 12 months, 12,514 of which have been Konas, making it the third best-selling mannequin for the model behind the i30 (20,734) and Tucson (15,789).
