The Kona N is not only the latest addition to Hyundai’s growing high-performance N lineup but is also the first N model with an SUV body style. It offers a winning combination of versatility, spirited acceleration, agility and racetrack readiness.
With technology inspired by motorsports, the N brand excels at delivering driving enthusiasm by providing racetrack capabilities and "corner rascal" ride and handling in everyday sports cars. The Kona N unveiled at Hyundai N Day is no exception.
The Kona N is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged GDI engine with an 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (N DCT). N DCT is the enhanced version of Hyundai’s in-house developed 8DCT, an eight-speed wet-type dual-clutch transmission. To make it suitable for N models, the 8DCT received improvements in durability, allowing it to handle the demands of high-performance vehicles. With the 2.0-liter T-GDI engine, it gives the best performance by applying unique gear ratios. The transmission control unit is calibrated for N, resulting in faster shifting and enabling a range of exclusive driving features - including N Grin Shift (NGS), N Power Shift (NPS) and N Track Sense Shift (NTS) - that maximize driving exhilaration.
The powertrain delivers a maximum output of 280 PS. With N Grin Shift, the power is enhanced to 290 PS, maximizing driving fun. The engine offers flat power that ensures high responsiveness and improved acceleration for even more fun on the road or on the racetrack, thereby utilizing more of the engine’s potential. The Kona N has a maximum speed of 240 km/h and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, when Launch Control is activated.
Hyundai implemented N Corner Carving Differential, an electronic limited slip differential (E-LSD) on the Kona N for control of torque distribution to driving wheels, delivering maximized fun when carving corners. The Kona N also is equipped with 19-inch lightweight forged wheels with high-performance brakes and tires.
Even at the base trim , the Kona N comes with Launch Control, Variable Exhaust System and most notably N Grin Control System, offering the same driving fun at all levels. N Grin Control System offers customers a high level of customization, with five distinct drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, N and Custom. These drive modes change the character of the all-new Kona N by adjusting the operating parameters of the engine, Electronic Stability Control, exhaust sound, and steering to optimise them for a variety of driving conditions.
The body’s extra welding points, improved strut ring structure and reinforced skeleton enhance rigidity to minimize body roll during maneuvers.
The combination of body-colored fenders and 19-inch wheels provides the Kona N with its wide, confident stance. The body-colored fenders emphasize the rich volume of the B-SUV’s muscular body, giving the Kona N a close-to-the-ground appearance. The N-specific, 19-inch wheels - that have wider track than other wheel options - are pushed to all four corners to ramp up the Kona’s already powerful visual impression.
The newly developed, N-exclusive Sonic Blue exterior color is a new spin on Performance Blue, the color most associated with N brand to date. That means Kona N is the only car that can wear Sonic Blue at the moment but previews a possible SUV lineup expansion. Sonic Blue creates an exciting contrast with the N-exclusive red accent that skirts the lower edge of the body.
The Kona N’s front lip spoiler, double-wing roof spoiler and side skirts enhance aerodynamic efficiency and provide styling cues that declare its racetrack readiness. The wide lower air intake dominates the front bumper with a shape inspired by an aeronautic fuselage, providing much-needed engine cooling during hot laps and spirited driving. The double-wing roof spoiler, which is integrated with an N-specific triangular brake light, enhances downforce while providing visual flair.
The
all-new Kona N’s interior also conveys the N spirit with brand-specific details
such as the Performance Blue color accents, seats, steering wheel,
shift knob and metal pedals.
The Kona N is equipped with a new
10-inch infotainment and digital cluster system featuring an exclusive
racing head-up display that adds a game-like dimension to every
driving experience under N or Sport drive modes. The new infotainment
system’s "N mode design" which provides game-like experience with
digitalized elements, communicates updates such as lap time and N track
maps that help place the driver’s location within the circuit along with
other information. The Kona N also maximizes driving fun and excitement
using various widgets with excellent readability and visibility which
allow monitoring of driving information in real time.
Just like
popular racing video games, the Kona N has customizable N buttons that
can be set to toggle custom modes. The custom modes can be pre-set
according to the driver’s preferences. The buttons can also turn on and
off the lap timer.
For Europe, the Kona N is equipped with N Road
Sense that automatically recommends the activation of N mode when
double-curved road signs are detected, enabling drivers to enjoy every
second of their drive to the fullest.
To ensure safe and
convenient daily drives even as a high-performance vehicle, the Kona N
is equipped with a full array of advanced driver assistance system
(ADAS) features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA),
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Driver Attention
Warning (DAW), High Beam Assist (HBA), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance
Assist (BCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Alert (RCCA), Safe
Exit Warning (SEW) and Smart Cruise Control (SCC).
Also available
in the Kona N is Bluetooth Multi-connection support and an enhanced
natural language voice recognition system that incorporates
Speech-to-Meaning and Deep Meaning Understanding technologies, adding
coherence and convenience to the driving experience.
Not only is
the Kona N a corner rascal but it’s also equipped with Traction Control
to handle a variety of terrain and surfaces, including snow and mud.
Through the showcase of the Kona N, the company also shared N brand’s high-performance philosophy and introduced a new brand claim while also hinting at future N models in the pipeline. Hyundai also highlighted its commitment to sustainable e-performance, giving a glimpse of the future direction for motorsport initiatives and how it will serve as a basis for upcoming N models.
