Hyundai Kona N, the hot SUV revealed

Hyundai’s first SUV to sport the N badge has been showcased. The Hyundai Kona N gets a powerful engine, upgraded chassis, mechanicals, and electronics. And to keep the fun in check, the SUV also comes equipped with a lot of safety features

Hyundai Kona N has been unveiled and the new hot SUV packs a more powerful engine, a more advanced gearbox, uprated electronic and mechanical components.

To start with the heart of the matter. The Kona N gets a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that puts out 276bhp and 286bhp – why two power figures? We shall get there in a bit – and 392Nm of optimum torque. The gearbox is an 8-speed wet-dual-clutch automatic unit that can be tweaked to have two power outputs. The drivetrain can be set to respond in three different manners. Hyundai says N Power Shift (NPS) and N Track Sense Shift (NTS) offer a more engaging and responsive drivetrain with 276bhp at disposal. And the N Grin Shift (NGS) bumps up the overall drivetrain output up to 286bhp.

Thanks to a launch control system, the Hyundai Kona N can dart up to 100km/h from a standstill in 5.5 seconds and the hot SUV has a top speed of 240km/hr. Hyundai has used aerodynamic aids to improve mechanical efficiency with all the power. The front bumper sports air-splitters and the ducts channel the airflow to cool down the engine. The spoiler at the rear enhances downforce for improved stability.

Hyundai says improved strut ring structure and reinforced skeleton have enhanced rigidity and minimized the body roll compared to the standard car. Other mechanical changes include reworked suspensions to compliment the sporty chassis. The Kona N rides on 19-inch forged wheels that are lighter and offer a wider footprint for a grippy drive through the corner. Hyundai has equipped Kona N with an electronic limited-slip differential to enhance the mechanical grip through the corners.

The electronic package includes a terrain response system that can calibrate the drivetrain to react to snow or mud. The driving modes include Eco, Normal, Sport, N, and a custom mode should the driver wish to tweak individual settings. Further in the feature list, the Kona N gets Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), High Beam Assist (HBA), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Alert (RCCA), Safe Exit Warning (SEW) and Smart Cruise Control (SCC). 

The cabin features a 10-inch infotainment screen for multimedia operations and an all-digital instrument cluster with a head-up display. The infotainment system gets an ‘N mode design’ feature that displays maps, and lap times. The steering wheel features two N buttons that can be customized to set functions according to the driver’s preference. The front passengers get two-sporty N grade seats and the gear-shift knob and pedals get a metal finish.

The launch of the Kona N is expected to take place in Korea, North America, and European markets in the coming month.

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