All-new 2021 Hyundai Kona N revealed

KUALA LUMPUR: Hyundai has been teasing the Kona N SUV for a while and now the South Korean automaker has taken the wraps off the car. We all know for a fact that the Koan N is a high-performance version of the B-segment SUV, Kona and it is the N performance sub-brand’s first sports utility vehicle.

Before we move on to discussing the Kona N in detail here’s a little detour. Hyundai introduced the Kona facelift in September 2020 and it included a new sporty variant called the N Line that compared to the regular model showcased a rather aggressive design language. And the now unveiled Kona N model has only raised the bar, i.e., it looks edgy, sporty, and whatnot. In short, its power is rightly displayed in its design.

2021 Hyundai Kona N design

Though the official images revealed by Hyundai are a bit shadowy, they reveal a lot about the performance SUVs design language. At the front, is a mid-sized grille with the N moniker and distinctive grille inserts. On the bonnet (on top of the grille) are present three air intakes, ensuring continuous airflow into the engine. The LED headlights and the side intakes are clubbed together and the automaker’s signature eyebrow LED DRLs just add to the car’s appeal.

The lower grille’s shape is inspired by an aeronautic fuselage and it extends to the sides as well. It enhances the SUV’s speed and aerodynamic efficiency.

If the Kona N and Kona N Line are compared, the two seem quite identical, apart from a few additions in the former. Like the red lip that extends to the side skirts and inserts in both upper & lower grille.

On the side, the Kona N gets N-exclusive big fan-spoke wheels and prominent body-coloured fenders.

At the rear, the Kona N gets a massive double-wing roof spoiler that enables enhanced downforce. Also, integrated here is a triangular brake light which is an N series trademark and can be seen on cars like the i30 N and Veloster N. Instead of a big diffuser, the Kona N incorporates two big pipes, one on each side covered with a red stripe.

2021 Hyundai Kona N performance

Powering the 2021 Konda N is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine. The power is sent to the wheels via an 8-speed wet dual-clutch gearbox (added only last year). The same mill in the i30 N facelift makes a maximum power of 250 PS and a peak torque of 353 Nm in the standard form. With the performance package, the same mill makes 280 PS and 392 Nm of torque.

The 8-speed N DCT transmission is an in-house developed unit and is expected to carry N Track Sense Shift, N Power Shift, and N GRin Shift modes.

The SUV will also tag along Lunch Control and an emotive soundtrack for the Kona N.

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