Key Hyundai Kona Electric details tweaked
Hyundai revises some of the new Kona EV’s key specs ahead of its local launch next quarterThe first details of Australia’s new 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric, based on the all-new Hyundai Kona released in July, have come to light, with the zero-emissions small SUV set to be offered here by the end of this year with the choice of two powertrains and two trim levels.
Hyundai Australia has thus far confirmed the upcoming second-generation Kona EV will be offered with a 48.6kWh battery pack in Standard Range form, while the full-fat Long Range variant will come with a 64.8kWh battery yielding a maximum range of around 500km.
The Standard Range’s battery will power a single 99kW/255Nm electric motor, while the Long Range will be propelled by a significantly more powerful 150kW/255Nm unit, but both will drive the front axle as per the previous generation.
Most of these figures are at odds with what Hyundai has communicated previously, with the global reveal initially spelling out 115kW/255Nm outputs for the Standard Range and a 65.4kWh battery for the Long Range.
Tweaks have also been made to the lesser system’s official battery capacity, but only by 0.2kWh.
The new numbers also mean the second-gen Kona Electric Standard Range develops 1kW/140Nm less than its predecessor, instead of the planned 15kW increase.
Hyundai Australia is yet to confirm the variant line-up for our market, but carsales understands the familiar two-powertrain, two-trim level arrangement will be carried over to the new model, setting the scene for a four-variant portfolio.
Standard equipment highlights for the range thus far include active air flaps, 1700W vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, a head-up display, i-Pedal driving mode, smart regenerative braking system, battery pre-conditioning, heat pump, battery heater and over-the-air updates, while certain overseas versions get the dual 12.3-inch panoramic screens as seen on other models.
The 64.8kWh battery can be recharged from 10-80 per cent in a claimed 43 minutes when hooked up to a DC fast-charger, but we’re yet to see a maximum charge rate to support that claim.
The all-new Kona Electric will make its Australian debut next week at the carsales Melbourne EV Show, alongside the IONIQ 5 N and new EVs from other brands including Audi, GWM-Haval, Polestar and McLaren.
“The Melbourne EV Show will provide a terrific showcase for our exciting new range of electric vehicles,” said Hyundai Australia CEO Ted Lee.
“With all-new Kona Electric and the high-performance IONIQ 5 N, alongside our World Car of the Year-winning IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, the Hyundai stand will highlight our continuing commitment to bringing advanced electrified vehicles to Australia.”
The carsales Melbourne EV Show will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre over September 22-24.
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