Exactly a month after it confirmed pricing for the updated i30 N hot hatch, Hyundai New Zealand has now announced pricing and spec for the all-new Kona N … the i30 N’s lifted SUV cousin.
It’s announced that just one specification of Kona N will be offered locally; the eight-speed dual clutch 2.0-litre Turbo. No ‘Limited’ or ‘Elite’ trim-level jargon here, just the one model and the one transmission option (the Kona doesn’t come with a manual in other markets, either).
It will be priced from $69,990, making it exactly the same price as the equivalent dual-clutch i30 N Fastback. Not too bad for a model that will offer more practicality, while admittedly sacrificing a bit of performance. It goes on sale locally this month.
As previously reported, the Kona N comes with Hyundai’s familiar 2.0-litre turbofour producing up to 213kW of power (when the ‘Grin Shift’ power boost is enabled) and 392Nm of torque. A trick E-LSD, sports suspension that talks to the car’s multiple drive modes, and a snarling exhaust system are all included.
These elements help the Kona N rush to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds (when launch control is used. Yes, this is a Hyundai SUV with launch control) and to a top speed of 240km/h.
Eight different colours are available locally; the signature Performance Blue, Ignite Flame red, Phantom Pearl black, Gravity Gold Matte, and … four different shades of grey. Each gets the same black interior with Performance Blue stitching and switchgear highlights.
Speaking of the interior, the Kona N comes standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both wired), Harman Kardon audio, wireless phone charging, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heads-up display, and a comprehensive safety suite.
“The Kona N not only provides an excellent halo model to the ever increasing Kona range but adds to our N range,” says Andy Sinclair, Hyundai New Zealand General Manager.
“N models are popular amongst performance car enthusiasts. With the introduction of the Kona N, we anticipate it will attract more new customers to either the Kona range or the N brand.”