Hyundai officially unveils 2022 Kona N

MANILA: Hyundai Motor recently recently unveiled the exciting new Hyundai Kona N, the performance version of their its best-selling compact crossover SUV.  This is the first crossover SUV to be part of the N brand lineup. This is different from the Hyundai Kona N-line as that upgraded the exterior go-fast bits  but does not include the engine and performance options.

Dubbed a "hot SUV," the new Hyundai Kona N combines the experience of driving a hot hatch with the versatility and convenience of an SUV. It is the perfect tool for drivers looking for more power and to experience the guttural aural performance of an all-out performance sports car, as well as a perfect and practical runabout for city life and weekend jaunts out of town.

Apart from the power and practicality, the all-new Hyundai Kona N also has safety and convenience features that will appeal to any need and lifestyle. You can finally have your cake and eat it too as this can both be your grocery getter as well as your track car.

Hyundai’s N brand adopts a philosophy of being fun to drive and this "hot-SUV" certainly delivers on all fronts giving customers no compromises on power, comfort, convenience, and safety. The new Hyundai Kona N is powered by a two-liter, four-cylinder T-GDI engine that makes 279hp and 392Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels by an advanced eight-speed, wet-type dual clutch transmission with two separated clutches for better acceleration and a faster upshift. Wet-type dual clutches provide better cooling to the transmission system, making this superior to previous technologies and ensuring its durability and reliability. Zero-to-100kph comes at a blistering 5.5 seconds, and the Kona N reaches a top speed of 240kph. 

Style doesn’t take a back seat either as the a Kona N features an aggressive aero body kit as well as lightweight, 19-inch forged alloy wheels giving  it a powerful driving presence unlike any other. 

Stretching 4,215mm, 1,800mm wide, and 1,565mm tall, the Kona N is 10mm longer than the base Hyundai Kona and just as long as the new Kona sporty N Line trim. Its 2,600mm wheelbase (compared to the regular variant) remains unchanged. This gives the vehicle a total of 361 liters of cargo space, making this a legitimate and versatile SUV.

The all-new Hyundai Kona N should be agile as it is powerful, taking corners like a champ thanks to the electronic limited slip differential, controlling the torque being sent to the front wheels; as well as electronic stability control to reign you in when things get a little dicey on the road.

The Hyundai N Grin Control System also makes its debut in the Kona, which allows the selection of drive modes to adjust vehicle characteristics for any situation. Normal mode is for casual driving while Eco mode allows the Kona N incredible fuel economy for a performance SUV. Taking things up a notch is Sport mode, which further changes the steering, suspension and throttle characteristics to provide a sportier experience and for an all-out track monster experience, N and Custom mode unleash the full potential of the all-new Hyundai Kona N.

Dimensions (mm) (LxWxH) (WB)	4,215 x 1,800 x 1,565; 2,600
Engine	Smartstream 2.0-litre T-GDI w/ flat power
Transmission	8-speed wet-type DCT (N DCT)
Weight (kg)	1,510
Power (hp) / Torque (Nm)	279 / 392
Top speed (km/h)	240
Acceleration 0-100km/h	5.5s with Launch Control

 

If Hyundai Philippines decides on bringing a performance model to do battle with the Honda Civic Type R or the highly anticipated Toyota GR Yaris, we certainly hope that they put all their bets on the new Hyundai Kana N.

Photos from Hyundai UK

Also read: The new Hyundai Kona now comes with an N Line version