Hyundai currently offers the Kona crossover with
internal combustion engines or an all-electric powertrain. There’s something missing
in-between those two types of propulsion and Hyundai knows it. It’s also working on filling the gap with a Kona hybrid model as these spy
shots prove. Snapped in Germany, the prototype wears a full body wrap, as if
Hyundai were testing an all-new model.
However, the hybrid version will carry over most of
the design features from the regular Kona and add some “hybrid-flavored”
details on top. Those are expected to include a new grille, slightly revised
bumpers, and the aero-style alloys the prototype is already sporting.
This Kona hybrid prototype also has its
dashboard completely covered, although we can see that the infotainment screen
is much bigger than on regular Konas. This should hint at an upgrade of the
interface, which no longer has physical buttons on each side of the screen. The
controls have become smaller in the process and have moved to the bottom of the
display. Currently, an 8-inch screen is the biggest one available in the
Hyundai Kona.
The obvious question now is whether this is a hybrid
or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. If it were a PHEV, it should have a charging port
on the left front fender where Hyundai and Kia usually place it. However, it
doesn’t so unless the port is somewhere else hidden under the black camouflage
material, we’re inclined to believe this is a self-charging hybrid.
Whatever the case, it should feature the same
powertrain from the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid.
