Hyundai Unveils Kona N As First High Performance SUV
Tags:
Hyundai’s N sub-brand has been a hit with enthusiasts, with cars like the Veloster N scooping up awards left, right, and center. However, to cater to a larger audience, the brand’s performance division has now created its first high-performance crossover: the Kona N.
Under the hood, buyers will find a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 276 hp and 392 Nm of torque. However, this can temporarily be increased to 286 hp by using the N Grin Shift function.
The engine is connected to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, which has specially tuned gear ratios and a uniquely calibrated control unit that allows for faster shifts. The combination of engine and gearbox allows the performance crossover to hit 100km/h in 5.5 seconds when using launch control and accelerate to a top speed of 240 km/h.
Some of the bits and pieces that come together to make the Kona N truly special are 19-inch forged alloy wheels, a high-performance braking system, an electronic limited-slip differential, a variable exhaust, and five drive modes that include Eco, Normal, Sport, N, and Custom.
On the inside, drivers can find an N-spec steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster, and a 10-inch infotainment screen with track maps and a lap timer. There are also alloy pedals, N-branded sports seats, and blue accents that are a sharp contrast to the red accents found in the N Line model.
We’ll need to wait to know more about the Kona N closer to launch, but we can expect it to be relatively affordable. Sadly, the chances of an all-wheel-drive variant are also slim as per reports.
You might also be interested in: