Unveiled late last year to dramatic effect, the all-new second generation Hyundai Kona has gotten the thumbs up for South Africa.
Styling from the season
The model that debuted the marque’s controversial split headlight design six years ago, the latest Kona, inspired by Staria, Asia-market Stargazer MPV and Europe-only Bayon crossover, sports future models will also receive.
Based on the new platform that was slightly detailed at the time of launch, bar the dimensions, recently discovered information claims a boot space of 723 liters with the rear seats folded flat, as well as a better level of storage in the cabin.
Also Read: More futuristic than the new Hyundai Kona
While details on the Kona’s specs will only be revealed once the exact launch date is confirmed, expect it to include a Mercedes-Benz MBUX-style 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an infotainment system with over-the-air, potentially wireless updates. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, up to 19-inch alloy wheels and a modern array of safety and driver assistance systems.
familiar machine
Also not disclosed at launch, the choice of powertrains has now emerged and will initially include three units, all carried over from the outgoing model.
These include a normally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol with 110kW/180Nm, a 1.6 T-GDI pumping-out 146kW/265Nm and a 1.6-litre hybrid producing a combined 103kW/265Nm. An all-electric derivative is also expected at a later stage.
With the manual gearbox no longer as evidence Kona sports a stalk mounted column as standard, the choice of three transmissions has been confirmed; CVT for gasoline free-breathing, six-speed dual-clutch for Hybrid and torque-converter new eight-speed automatic for T-GDI.
The Kona N is simply because it is an EV
It is not expected to be renewed for the second generation although the performance of the Kona N former N division boss Albert Biermann hinted that it will only be enough to return as an EV.
“Right now, Hyundai Europe is in EV heaven. They are very happy to sell these EVs and they are not fighting to get the Kona with a combustion engine, so they can continue with the next generation (Kona N),” Biermann told The Australian. drive.com.au last year.
“There may be four years or so to the next generation (Kona N) with a combustion engine, but EV heaven is pretty cool.”
when?
Reportedly, more information will be revealed in March before starting sales in South Korea and Europe shortly after.
As mentioned, expect Hyundai South Africa to only reveal the exact details when they start sales in the third quarter of this year.
Additional information from motor1.com.