The Hyundai Kona is getting ready for its first mid-cycle refresh, with
our spies capturing a camouflaged test car on camera on a frozen lake in
Northern Europe. Don’t mind the thick layers of camo, as the subcompact
crossover is expected only with minor visual revisions. We heard that it will
sport revised headlights and taillights, bumper updates and perhaps a reworked
grille, in addition to a few tweaks in the cabin, probably surrounding the
infotainment system and trim.
The entire engine lineup is understood to
soldier on, albeit perhaps with small updates. Thus, the facelifted Kona will
continue to be offered with petrol and diesel power units, as well as hybrid
and electric powertrains. The latter could undergo a few revisions, likely with
emphasis on a slightly bigger range. The outgoing iteration has an EPA rating
of 415 km)with the 64 kWh battery fully charged, which powers the
201 HP and 394 Nm of torque electric motor.
Sitting at the top of the range is
expected to be the Kona N. The sporty model is understood to pack the 2.0-liter
four-cylinder engine found in the i30 N hot hatch, producing 250 PS. The engine is believed to drive the front wheels only through a
six-speed manual transmission.
Expect the Kona N to feature an upgraded
chassis, with bigger brakes and revised steering, as well as a model-specific
body kit that will include more aggressive bumpers and larger side skirts. The
bigger wheels and new colors will round up the visuals on the outside.
Hyundai should uncover the facelifted Kona
in a few months, followed shortly by the hot N derivative.
