Hyundai Kona facelift teased

Hyundai has revealed a handful of teaser images of a fresh-faced Hyundai Kona compact SUV ahead of its global premiere in the next few weeks.

Coming to Australia in the first-half of next year as part of a mega model onslaught that will see 11 new vehicles touch down in 11 months, official images from Korea confirm the 2021 Hyundai Kona will get a sleek, high-tech front-end design inspired by the brand’s hydrogen EV, the Nexo.

The redesigned face includes a ‘shark-inspired nose’ and new-look LED daytime running lights that will help generate interest for the Kona in what is a cut-throat compact SUV segment populated by the likes of the Mitsubishi ASX, Mazda CX-3, Subaru XV, Toyota C-HR, Honda HR-V and Nissan QASHQAI.

The mid-life update for the Hyundai Kona is tipped to introduce safety and technology upgrades, including the 10-inch touch-screen infotainment system seen in the flagship $60K-plus Kona Electric.

Powertrain options are expected to continue as is.

That means a 2.0-litre (110kW/180Nm) petrol engine with a six-speed automatic, a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine (130kW/265Nm) with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and the tech-leading zero-emissions battery-powered Kona EV (150kW/395Nm).

As well as equipment upgrades across the board, two sporty new model grades are also joining the facelifted Kona family, starting with the Kona N Line, teased here with a red paint job.

Adding a sporty option to the range, the Kona N Line gets a more aerodynamic look featuring bold lower air intake integrated into the more assertive front bumper design, while ‘corner fins’ have also been added to deliver a bit more eye candy.

This new model previews the design of the hard-core 200kW-plus Hyundai Kona N performance flagship, and both models will also get a big roof spoiler.

Neither model has been officially confirmed for Australia but both are almost certain to be sold here.

Like other Hyundai N Line models offered in Australia, such as the i30 hatch, the Kona N Line will get a sporty interior to match the exterior upgrades, along with sportier suspension and enhanced equipment levels.

Meantime, the full-flavoured Hyundai Kona N is expected to get a significant increase in power thanks to an engine transplant from the i30 N hot hatch.

That means the Kona N will be propelled by a fiery 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine worth around 202kW and 378Nm.

Paired to the brand’s new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, it should accelerate to 100km/h very rapidly – potentially quicker than the 6.1 seconds it takes the i30 N to complete the benchmark sprint.

Spotted testing around the challenging 21km Nurburgring road-course in Germany this week, the Hyundai Kona N is expected to be a genuine performance vehicle, with a lowered ride height and recalibrated suspension, stronger brakes and sharper steering.

Guido Schenken, declined to comment on anything relating to the Kona N Line or Kona N but said that both models be looked at for Australia.

“We’ve made no secret of the fact our focus is on building an N performance family, and so we will of course be studying the business case for any new N product that should become available.”

Stay tuned for more details on the new-look Hyundai Kona in the next couple of weeks.