The Hyundai Kona N performance crossover
is back at the Nürburgring for a fresh round of testing and it now features a
more revealing camouflage. While it continues to feature a full-body wrap, some
areas are more exposed than before, including the new front end. We can now see
that the upcoming Kona N features a grille design that reminds of the
facelifted Santa Fe and we also get a better look at the split headlights.
The front bumper is redesigned too and
features a more aggressive appearance with larger air intakes and honeycomb
inserts in the lower grille and side vents. Seen from the side, the Hyundai
Kona N looks much more muscular than the standard model. That’s due to the
deeper side skirts, prominent roof spoiler and big alloy wheels.
Out back, the Kona N looks even more
aggressive than at the front thanks to the massive bumper featuring a huge
diffuser-like element flanked by two chunky round exhausts. The photos also
allow us to see more of the horizontal taillights which are expected to feature
a fresh LED signature if not a redesign. As a reminder, the Kona N is expected
to launch later this year as part of the facelifted Kona lineup. The N-badged
model will be the range-topper, packing a 2.0-liter T-GDI turbo-four petrol engine
mated to an eight-speed DCT transmission sourced from the Veloster N.
The power plant is expected to deliver up
to 275 PS, just like the Hyundai i30 N Performance hot hatch. As with
the latter model, it will be front-wheel-drive only.
