Hyundai continued its new model onslaught overnight, via its official reveal of the new Kona N. Not the trim-milk N-Line model, but the full fat hot-hatch-on-stilts N variant.
The Kona N is Hyundai’s fourth N release, following the i20 N, i30 N, and Veloster N, of which New Zealand currently only gets the i30 N. Thankfully, the hot Kona is also destined for our shores.
There isn’t much about its appearance that will surprise, given how much of the model was visible in Hyundai’s earlier teaser images. The fastest Kona gets an aggressive body-kit, more significant venting, and lashings of red highlights.
Propulsion comes from a turbocharged four banger producing 206kW of power and 392Nm of torque. But, that power figure increases to 213kW when the driver uses the Kona’s ‘N Grin Shift’ overboost function.
Paired to an eight-speed dual clutch, the aforementioned numbers are good enough to send the Kona N 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.
The N Grin Shift function is one of several drive modes available to the driver. Lasting 20 seconds, it maximises performance from both the engine and the transmission.
Other performance goodies? Well, the Kona N gets in-house performance brakes, forged 19-inch wheels, an electronic limited-slip differential, and a variable exhaust guaranteed to replicate the same booming crackles and pops from the standard i30 N.
Inside it gets the suite of Hyundai N requisites, including leather and suede buckets, blue contrast stitching, those signature bright blue drive mode buttons on the steering wheel, an ‘N’ shift knob, and more.
It’s worth remembering too that, underneath all the N tinsel, this is based on a Kona. So among other things, it comes with a comprehensive safety tech suite inclusive of forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, radar cruise, and more.
Pricing for the New Zealand market has yet to be confirmed, but expect it to be around the $60,000 mark based on the i30 N’s pricing. Arrival is scheduled for the second half of 2021.
