Hyundai Kona N.
Hyundai has unpacked its first hot SUV and the latest model added to its growing lineup of N-Badged Performance vehicles: this is the Hyundai Kona N. With a whopping 276 horsepower, the Korean aviator will compete against each other like the one Audi SQ2, the VW T-Roc R and the Mini Countryman John Cooper Works. It will go on sale in the summer. Prices have yet to be confirmed but are expected to top the £ 30,000 mark.
The Kona N is on the heels of the i20 N’s super mini and uses much of the same tech as the impressive i30 N, but the rocket SUV also benefits from a number of more powerful technologies.
Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo gasoline engine that develops up to 286 horsepower plus 289 lb ft of torque. Oddly enough, the maximum power levels are accessed via a special setting in the standard eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission known as the “N Grin Shift” mode. The power is only transferred to the front wheels … and there is noticeably no manual transmission option.
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Hyundai Kona N.
Hyundai Kona N.
It should be noted that Hyundai coffins say the intricate traction control system can handle a wide variety of terrains and surfaces, including snow and mud, although there is no all-wheel drive system either.
And it’s pretty quick. Use the launch controls and you’ll get to 0-62 mph in 5.5 seconds. It will then continue to travel up to a top speed of 149 mph. Fortunately, every Kona N benefits from specially designed Pirelli P Zero tires, all of which are wrapped around forged 19-inch alloys. The standard equipment also includes an electronically controlled limited-slip differential on the front axle and adaptive dampers.
As with the i20 N and i30 N, the Kona N gets an N mode with a custom setting for driving with “maximum attack”. However, if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find that Hyundai added more power tech to its hot SUV.
Most of it revolves around the eight-speed dual clutch car. Ok, take a deep breath and hold on to your seats, because this is where things get a little bit exciting.
First off, there’s a dedicated button on the steering wheel for – yes, you guessed it – the N Grin Shift. This maximizes engine and transmission performance for 20 seconds of eyeball fun. Fortunately, there is also something called N Power Shift. This ensures that when you hit the loud pedal, the traction systems instantly go into hyperactive mode to ensure you don’t lose torque due to wheel slip.
Finally for the days when you decide to get your Kona N out on the line – really … how many people are going to do that? – There is N Track Sense Shift. This clever technology recognizes when you are on the track and then selects the right gear for you, taking braking and cornering into account.
Of course, in the cabin you need to know exactly what all these technical systems are doing. That’s why Hyundai designed the Kona N with bespoke graphics that come to life when N mode is active. The information is passed on via the digital instruments and the screen of the infotainment system. The latter shows the key performance metrics while you bid to improve your personal best on the track.
There are subtle exterior design and styling improvements that set the N apart from the rest of the Kona range. This of course includes the light metal alloys, which, due to the wider track of the SUV, make the car appear more compact and powerful.
The color Sonic Blue is new to the range, and there are a number of new accents of red to grab the beholder’s attention. And it’s impossible to miss the lower front lip spoiler, the gaping front air intakes that help cool the tuned engine, and the side skirts and a double wing spoiler at the rear. The latter houses the triangular brake light from the brand N.
There are also improvements in the cabin. The steering wheel, gear lever, metal pedals and sport seats are highlighted by blue accents. There’s also a new digital instrument cluster and 10-inch infotainment system, as well as a head-up display.
There are plenty of safety technologies as standard, including lane departure warning and lane following assist, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic warning, Hyundai warning of safe exit, warning of driver attention and high beam assistant.