Hyundai teases hot Kona N SUV

Saturday, 13 March 2021

While we can now see that the Hyundai Kona N looks great, we already knew it sounded great from this video.

Hyundai has offered a glimpse at the new high-performance Kona N.

The go-fast Kona will be the first time Hyundai’s N division has tuned an SUV, but the release doesn’t mention anything about power.

Hyundai has previously confirmed the Kona N will be using the i30 N’s 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four for propulsion, though it didn’t specify the exact output. Smart money would bet on the powerplant making around 202kW/353Nm (if it carries over unchanged from the hatchback, though there’s a good chance the engine will be uprated). Expect the transmission to be of the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic variety without a manual option.

This is our first shadowy glimpse at the high-performance Hyundai Kona N. Like it?

Additionally, the Kona N will likely avoid an all-wheel drive system, only coming as a front driver. It will get a bunch of performance extras though, like launch control, drive modes (including exhaust modes) and stiffer suspension.

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That split rear wing looks fantastic, as does the triangular brake light.

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Two huge exhausts means the Kona N should be a pretty loud crossover.

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Expect plenty of N badging to remind you (and others) that this isn’t just a Kona with a body kit.

In terms of design adjustments, there is a more aggressive grille design with an open lower section, three small Audi-like intakes on the leading edge of the bonnet and slightly redesigned headlights. Like the i30 N, a bright red strip lines the front splitter, extending all the way around the crossover.

Hyundai says the shape of the front fascia is “inspired by an aeronautic fuselage” and extends to the sides of the car.

Around the back is a rather cool split wing sitting above the rear window, with a triangular, F1-style brake light nestled in the middle. Further down are two massive drain-pipe exhaust tips flanking a diffuser, though they’re probably just styling cues hiding the smaller, real exhaust outlets.

Judging by how good the i30 N was on the road, the Kona N should be a great car to drive, despite its pedestrian SUV heritage.

We will see the Kona N on local roads in the third quarter of 2021. Price and final specifications will be announced closer to then.

Hyundai will pitch its hot crossover against the likes of the not-for-New-Zealand Ford Puma ST, which offers 147kW/320Nm, quite a bit less than the Kona N.

Depending on how high the price goes, the Kona N could also be pitted against the $67k, 221kW/400Nm, all-wheel drive Cupra Ateca. An even more expensive alternative would be the $72k Mini Countryman John Cooper Works variant which spits 225kW and 450Nm out from its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder.

If the Kona N isn’t your cup of tea, and you’re not interested in the i30 N hatchback/fastback, Hyundai has a few other N models in the works, though not all are confirmed for NZ just yet.

There’s the smaller i20 N hatchback, which gets the 1.6-litre turbo-four from the i30 N-Line model making 150kW/275Nm, and the i30 Sedan N (also known as Elantra N overseas), expected to be powered by the now-familiar 2.0-litre four-cylinder in the i30 N and Kona N. Power is unconfirmed at the moment, but Hyundai could give it a choice of six-speed manual and eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions.

Finally, Hyundai is hard at work on a proper mid-engined sports car, known as the RM19… or it was, back in 2019. It might be RM21 now. The RM19 was, in 2019, producing close to 300kW using that same 2.0L turbo four, mated to a six-speed sequential transmission. There’s no word on if this car will actually make it to production but we’re hoping so.