Hyundai's most striking SUV yet.
Another example of the upcoming Hyundai Kona has been spied at a TVC shoot completely undisguised, this time in Madrid, Spain. The model has a metallic blue exterior with all the bits and bobs fitted in the range-topping version. In Europe, it will be called as the Hyundai Kauai, although the model starring in the TVC is christened 'Kona'.
The Kona is Hyundai's most striking SUV yet, with cues borrowed from the Intrado concept and Tucson (at the back). Some of the standout features of its exterior are the two-tone colour scheme, Hyundai's characteristic ‘Cascading’ front grille, two-tier headlamps with LED lighting, muscular fenders with thick body cladding, large five-spoke alloy wheels, sleek LED-powered taillamps, and a separate arrangement of lights for reverse, turn indication and for foggy conditions.
Reports suggest that the Kona's internals will be shared with the i30, signifying that factories that don't build the i30 like Brazil and India are unlikely to make this vehicle. Engine lineup is speculated to include the 1.0-litre turbocharged T-GDI petrol, 1.4-litre turbocharged T-GDI petrol and 1.6-litre turbocharged CRDi diesel borrowed from the i30 and i20 hatchbacks, for which transmission options include a 6-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, and an AWD can also be spec'd for top-end variants. A pure electric variant is also said to be the works.
In European markets, the Kona is expected to go on sale in the second half of this year. It will compete with the Toyota C-HR, Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Nissan Juke. As for the Indian market, again Hyundai is unlikely to launch the Kona as the compact SUV segment (above 4m) is already dominated by the Hyundai Creta, and the high manufacturing cost of a European crossover could stall the business case. It was reported that Hyundai has begun work on the next-gen Hyundai Creta which will launch early next decade with a seven-seat option.
[Source - Carscoops]
