Update - The first interior image of the Hyundai Kona has been leaked on social media ahead of its world premieres tomorrow in Korea and Italy. It is apparent that the Kona's designers have been busy in the i30's parts room, borrowing the eight-inch floating screen that integrates all navigation, media and connectivity features, the new multifunction three-spoke steering wheel and other bits and bobs of the hatchback's center stack.
The unique touches in the Kona are the revised dials for the dual zone climate control, colour-coordinated surrounds in the air vents, window frames, seats and drive selector, and circular air vents, as opposed to the i30's polygonal vents.
June 9, 2017 -
Will be Hyundai's only compact SUV for markets like Korea, Europe and North America.
Hyundai has announced that the Kona SUV will be unveiled on June 13, 2017 in Milan, Italy and at Hyundai Motor's Studio in Goyang, Korea. To highlight the importance of Kona - Hyundai's only compact SUV for markets like Korea, Europe and North America - Hyundai's Motor Group Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun will be unveiling the Kona, a first for the Hyundai Motor Group's heir.
As seen in the official teasers and spyshots of undisguised examples, some of the standout exterior features of Hyundai's most striking SUV are the two-tone colour scheme, Hyundai’s characteristic ‘Cascading’ front grille, two-tier headlamps with LED DRLs on top of the LED headlights, flaring fenders with thick black plastic cladding, five-spoke diamond cut alloy wheels, and LED-powered wraparound taillamps above a separate angular arrangement of lights for turn indication and foggy conditions.
Hyundai is yet to release tech specs of the Kona, but reports suggest that its internals will be shared with the i30, so 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, for which transmission options include a 6-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. An AWD system will also be available in the top-end variants.
Besides airbags, Lane Departure Warning System, Forward Collision Warning System, Lane Keep Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking and Hill Start Assist Control will feature in the Kona.
Also Read: 2017 Hyundai i20 Active (facelift) – Rendering
According to Korean reports, the Kona will bank on its competitive pricing to lure customers from its main rival - the Ssangyong Tivoli - in its home market. It is estimated to start from 20 million won (USD 17,809). In markets like Europe, the Kona will rival the Toyota C-HR, Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Nissan Juke.
