Zip with zap – electric future for already hot N charge
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Hyundai NZ general manager Chris Blair discusses the local outlook for the nicely naughty N performance sub-tribe.
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N power times two
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Pricing of the Kona N raises potential for sibling rivalry within Hyundai’s expanding ‘N’ performance model family.
Read MoreGrin and hear it – wild Kona NZ-bound
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THAT look of excitement you should feel when driving a steroidal performance model?
Hyundai reckons it’s worthy of a special button in its latest N model.
Revealed internationally overnight and set for New Zealand introduction later this year, for an as yet undisclosed price, the high-performance edition of the Kona crossover has many features to distinguish itself from the mainstream models – including what they taken to call the ‘N Grin’ button.
Read MoreConan of Konas confirmed
/Performance SUV teased, full debut just weeks away.
THE performance flagship version of the Kona compact sports utility has been revealed undergoing testing in Germany.
Hyundai has provisioned images of the new variant, and while the car’s camouflage obviously destroys opportunity to achieve an unexpurgated view, they do reveal some details, one being that the high-performance SUV will ride on 19-inch forged alloy wheels shared with the i30 N hatch.
Hyundai has also officially confirmed that the model will run a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
While outputs have yet to be announced, it's fully expected they will match the 206kW and 392Nm extracted from the same engine under the bonnet of the facelifted i30 N.
As for transmission choices? The hatch is about to pick up an eight-speed direct shift transmission as an alternate to the six-speed manual it has run with since launch two years ago. There’s talk the Kona might follow the same course. What’s still also subject to conjecture is whether it is running all-wheel-drive; some say it will be front-wheel-drive.
The powertrain will accompanied by "a variety of high-performance driving features" including launch control and a sports exhaust, according to an international release from the brand.
Today’s release also promises the car will make its full debut “in the coming weeks”, with production beginning soon after. Hyundai NZ has yet to offer comment on these images, but has previous expressed strong interest in achieving a performance Kona.
