Hyundai has started testing the upcoming Kona N on
the Nurburgring. The pictured prototype features the same bodywork with any normal
ICE-powered Kona but key differences like the i30 N wheels, the bigger brakes
and that intercooler hanging behind the front bumper point to the crossover’s
hotter powertrain.
The company wanted to throw the turbocharged 2.0-liter
four-cylinder powertrain from the i30 N under its bonnet. This is believed to
be just the 246 HP non-Performance version paired to a six-speed
manual transmission. Power will drive the
front wheels exclusively, unlike the current range-topping 175 HP 1.6 T GDI
variant which is fitted with all-wheel drive.
The chassis of the Hyundai Kona N will be upgraded
with more common parts with the i30 N but it will get its own, model-specific
setup as far as suspension and steering goes. The bodywork will be dressed more
aggressively, featuring new bumpers front and rear, deeper side sills, a rear
spoiler and of course a bigger tire/wheels package.
The Hyundai Kona N is just one of the models the
Korean car maker has in store for us; the other one is the i20 N hot hatch,
which will arrive in early 2020 as a rival to the Ford Fiesta ST and the VW
Polo GTI. Hyundai will launch the Kona N soon after the i20 N, entering the
niche segment of go-faster sub-compact crossovers in mid-2020.
