► New Hyundai Kona N SUV revealed
► 276bhp, auto-only, front-wheel drive
► Loads of performance tech, too
Hyundai’s N range is growing at quite a pace. Not long after the i20 supermini got the treatment, the brand’s first hot SUV has arrived: the Kona N.
The new Kona N SUV uses a lot of the same engineering as the already-great i30 N, but it introduces some more performance technology, too.
Hyundai N: performance specs
Let’s start with the basics. There’s a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder under the bonnet, sending 276bhp to the front wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. You can’t have a manual, sorry.
All of that shove makes the Kona N rather sprightly, with Hyundai claiming a 5.5-second 0-62mph launch time (if you use launch control) and a top speed of 149mph.
We’ve driven a prototype of the Hyundai Kona N
Every Kona N uses specially-developed Pirelli P Zero tyres, forged 19-inch wheels, adaptive dampers and an electronic limited-slip differential as standard. Just like the i20 N and i30 N, there’s an N Mode with a Custom setting for maximum attack driving. But Hyundai has also crammed in some eyebrow-raising performance technology, too.
What other performance tech are we talking about?
It mainly centres around that eight-speed dual-clutch auto. First, there’s N Power Shift where, if you floor it, the traction systems go hyperactive and ensure no torque is lost due to wheel slip.
There’s also a dedicated button on the steering wheel for something called – sigh – N Grin Shift. It’s essentially the same as Porsche’s Sport Response button, maximising engine and gearbox performance for a 20-second burst of fury.
One more thing: N Track Sense Shift. The Kona N recognises when you’re on a race track, taking braking and cornering into account to select the right gear for you.
On top of that, the Kona N has a bespoke set of graphics, when N mode is active, for the digital instruments and there’s a screen on the infotainment for showing you the key performance metrics if you’re hooning it on a track.
Kona N models will go on sale in Europe in the summer of 2021.
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