Hyundai Kona N revealed

Hyundai has officially taken the covers off its tiny-but-mighty Hyundai Kona N, the first SUV from the Korean brand’s N division that delivers performance and dynamics on par with the widely-adored i30 N hot hatch.

Joining the soon-to-launch updated Hyundai i30 N hatch that’ll have both manual and auto transmission options, the 2021 Hyundai Kona N will arrive here in the third quarter with the same potent 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine delivering 206kW of power and 392Nm of torque.

The hot Kona will be among a host of new N-struck models to launch in Australia this year, including the Hyundai i20 N – now due in the third quarter too and equipped with a 150kW/275Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four – as well as the Hyundai i30 N sedan based on the US-market Elantra N.

The N sedan is expected late in the third quarter or early in the fourth.

Today’s unveiling of the all-new Kona N also marks a shift in the Hyundai N division’s brand identity, with a new ‘Never just drive’ slogan set to underpin N models as it moves into electrification.

As per the i30 N, peak power in the Kona is upped to 213kW with N Grin Shift (NGS) mode in play, while the only transmission available is the new eight-speed wet dual-clutch auto dubbed N DCT that sends power to the front wheels.

Importantly, the Kona N will be quicker off the line than its i30 N sibling, with Hyundai claiming a sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds with launch control activated.

This is almost half a second quicker than the updated i30 N manual (5.9sec) and should also be slightly quicker than the DCT-equipped i30 N, figures for which are still to be released.

Top speed for the Kona N is listed at 240km/h.

Tipping the scales at 1510kg – about 10kg lighter than the i30 N – the brand’s latest model to get high-performance N division tweaks certainly looks the part too, with a wide stance, chunkier panels, body-coloured fenders, lightweight 19-inch forged wheels and an N-exclusive Sonic Blue colour.

It looks more like an off-white than the striking Performance Blue that’s become synonymous with the N brand and will eventually be offered on other N models.

Launch control and a variable exhaust system come standard, as does Hyundai’s full suite of safety and driver assistance features, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, safe exit warning and auto high beam. 

Inside the Kona N’s cabin, Hyundai says it’ll feel more like a “gaming experience”, with a new 10.0-inch central touch-screen, an exclusive racing head-up display (HUD) and a refreshed digital instrument cluster.

The same steering wheel-mounted N button offers quick access to the customisable N modes, while suede-like sporty Alcantara seats look to provide plenty of side bolstering to keep you in place.

Hyundai says high-level dynamic performance is assured via several chassis modifications, including extra welding points to minimise body roll and a new N Corner Carving Differential.

An electronic limited-slip differential (E-LSD) controls torque distribution to the driving wheels, which Hyundai says delivers “maximised fun when carving corners”.

Underneath, the Kona N is said to ride on high-performance tyres and be fitted with track-ready brakes.

There’s still no word on local pricing, but expect a price tag around the $50,000 mark.

Without any direct mainstream competitors, its closest rivals will be the new 221kW/400Nm Audi SQ2 at $64,400 plus on-road costs, and the 225kW/450Nm BMW X2 M35i from $68,900 plus ORCs.