AFTER months of teasing and drip-feeding data, Hyundai Motor Firm (HMC) has lastly debuted its Kona N, a compact SUV packing as much as 213kW of energy and able to a sub-six-second sprint from standstill to 100km/h.
Attributable to contact down domestically within the third quarter of this yr, the Kona N is powered by the identical extremely strung turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine because the incoming facelifted i30 N scorching hatch with peak energy and torque rated at 206kW/392Nm.
That’s until the ‘N Grin Shift’ operate for the eight-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission is engaged which liberates an additional 7kW for as much as 20 seconds, (over)boosting the kilowatt depend to 213.
When all is alleged and finished, the Kona N will dash from 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.5 seconds with launch management fitted to all variations as commonplace – abroad markets will get the ‘N’ in addition to the ‘N Efficiency’ trim, the latter of which would be the just one provided right here as per the remainder of the native N vary.
In an fascinating however not overly stunning transfer, HMC opted to make its ‘scorching SUV’ front-wheel-drive solely which finally is smart given it shares its platform and powertrain with the i30 N, nevertheless additionally it is at odds with the all-paw N-Line which proves the platform would have been receptive.
Talking on the international media reveal, HMC analysis and growth boss Albert Biermann stated the front-drive configuration was chosen for its mixture of enjoyable, simplicity and value effectiveness.
“Within the winter time relying on the place you reside, for those who put a great set of winter tyres to the Kona N, you’ll don’t have any drawback to maintain the enjoyable going even within the winter time,” he stated.
“I examined the Kona N in Sweden and I’ve to say it’s an actual winter beast with good winter tyres on it … now we have a deep snow mode which you could preserve that enjoyable going, even on the slippery highway, the snowy highway.
“Why carry across the all-wheel-drive system all yr lengthy and why including all the fee – our N story can be to be the perfect in fun-per-dollar.
“Kona N is clearly following that script, after which it was straightforward to determine front-wheel-drive; the way in which we tuned it, the way in which we ship it, is the proper technique to go.”
Head of N model administration and HMC’s motorsports sub-division Until Wartenberg
As alluded to by Mr Biermann, the Kona N options the identical digital limited-slip differential (e-LSD) mounted to the entrance axle because the i30 N, formally dubbed the ‘N Nook Carving Differential’.
Cornering functionality is the secret for the Kona N with the e-LSD being simply one of many many N particular upgrades fitted to assist remodel the Kona right into a “nook rascal”.
Regardless of having across the similar floor clearance as a daily N-Line, the Kona N trip on a much more aggressive suspension set-up with the entire package deal rolling on solid 19-inch alloy wheels shod with high-performance Pirelli P-Zero tyres.
N Efficiency brakes are fitted as commonplace to assist haul the flying household hauler up once more from its 240km/h prime velocity whereas superior traction and stability management methods mix with the e-LSD to maintain issues in test each in slippery circumstances or simply when pushing laborious.
To assist the motive force extract absolutely the most from their vehicles, the transmission is fitted with one other two ‘N efficiency capabilities’ moreover N Grin Shift, these being N Energy Shift and N Monitor Sense Shift.
N Energy Shift hastens the gear shifts throughout laborious acceleration to mitigate any torque dips throughout gear adjustments and preserve progress as fast as potential.
When in full computerized mode, N Monitor Sense Shift can detect optimum circumstances for “dynamic driving” and as such, adjusts the transmission’s shift sample and alter traits to match.
5 drive modes may also be featured – Eco, Regular, Sport, N and Customized – together with an array of adjustable and configurable settings for the engine, exhaust, steering and stability management.
Visually, the Kona N largely resembles its lesser N-Line sibling in flaunting a sports activities bodykit, body-coloured cladding and aggressively styled alloy wheels, however there are a couple of choose variations.
For starters, the entrance fascia dons a singular N mesh grille, enlarged decrease consumption, refined gentle signature and a red-accented entrance splitter with the purple theme being continued each down the flanks and on the rear of the automotive.
The aforementioned solid alloys are larger than these on the N-Line, to not point out a totally completely different design – and end – behind which peek out the purple N-branded brake callipers.
On the rear, the N has changed the N-Line’s refined twin exhaust ideas with an enormous dual-pipe set-up exiting from a much more aggressive diffuser, matched on the roofline by a brand new twin-wing rear spoiler and built-in triangular N brake-light.
Related touches have been made inside the inside the place we discover N sports activities seats, Efficiency Blue stitching, a head-up show, N steering wheel, metallic sports activities pedals and an N-branded gear lever.
Whereas the i30 N (Fastback included) and smaller i20 N each debuted within the now-signature Efficiency Blue paintwork, HMC designers have opted to launch the Kona N in a brand new ‘Sonic Blue’ hero color to assist it “fly below the radar” given it’s nonetheless finally an SUV.
For reference, Efficiency Blue will nonetheless be accessible together with the acquainted array of N colors.
Native pricing and specification particulars are nonetheless a manner off from being revealed but however international commonplace tools highlights will embrace a digital instrument cluster, 10-inch infotainment system with N-specific shows, readouts and capabilities, head-up show and configurable N modes.
As you’ll count on from a brand new mannequin in 2021, energetic security options are in abundance with the Kona N boasting ahead collision-avoidance help, lane conserving help, lane following help, driver consideration warning, excessive beam help, blind-spot collision-avoidance help, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance alert, protected exit warning and good cruise management which is able to all come as commonplace.
With the N-Line Premium at present asking $42,400 plus on-road prices, we count on the Kona N to land across the $50,000 mark.
“Kona N is a real scorching SUV with the efficiency degree of a scorching hatch. It breaks the rule
that SUVs are much less enjoyable to drive,” Mr Biermann stated.
“As an N mannequin, it goes past the bounds of an extraordinary SUV.”
HMC Australia offered 3876 Konas by the primary quarter of 2021, accounting for a strong 12.1 per cent of the sub-$40,000 compact SUV phase, outsold solely by the budget-minded MG ZS (4065/12.7%).
