It had been a while since we heard about this Kona N, first as a simple rumor, saying that a sportier version of the SUV would see the light of day in the years to come. Later, a first teaser published by the brand on Instagram at Christmas time confirmed these hallway noises, showing a photo of a helmet, placed on the hood of a car covered with gift wrap. What better way to announce such a present to enthusiasts? Because this sporty version, everyone was waiting for it, while dynamic models are becoming increasingly rare, for obvious reasons of environmental standards. But if the French brands have calmed down, this is not really the case for foreigners, and in particular Asians, whether Toyota with its new GR Yaris and GR86 or even Hyundai, with its new i20 N. So this is now supported by the Kona N, just formalized by the manufacturer, for our greatest pleasure.
Unsurprisingly, it is primarily the style that indicates the sporting ambitions of the car, while this variant is logically based on the restyled version, unveiled a few months earlier. A small centimeter longer than the standard version, this Hyundai Kona N Also wants to be more assertive in terms of look, offering many red inserts on the front lamp, the brake calipers or the rear diffuser. But that’s far from all, since the small SUV also benefits from a redesigned grille, topping a new bumper. At the rear, we will of course note the diffuser incorporating two tailpipes, while new 19-inch alloy wheels complete the equipment. A new exclusive shade Sonic Blue is also appearing in the catalog. On board, no big change, since the only touch of sportiness is provided by the sports seats embroidered with the N logo. The rest remains strictly identical to the standard version, with its two 10.25-inch screens and its head-up display. .
Power gain
But what interests us the most is obviously what is hidden under the hood of this new version, nastier than ever. We therefore find a 2.0-liter four-cylinder GDI, the same as the Hyundai i30 N Performance, developing some 280 horsepower for a maximum torque of 392 Nm. Everything is then sent to the wheels via an eight-speed N-DCT dual-clutch gearbox, delivered as standard. With a 0 to 100 km / h shot in 5.5 seconds for a maximum speed of 240 km / h, the SUV has something to thrill the current sports, and in particular the new Ford Puma ST, strong of 200 horsepower. Benefiting from a more rigid chassis and an improved brake system, this Kona N promises great efficiency, while the driver has the choice between no less than five driving modes. For its part, the suspension has three distinct settings, while Mode N allows you to enjoy a boost of 10 horsepower for about twenty seconds.
As promising as it is, this new Hyundai Kona N should unfortunately not make the road to France, due to excessively punitive taxation, even if nothing has yet been confirmed by the brand. We will therefore undoubtedly have to be satisfied with thei20 N, which will indeed make the trip to our country.
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