Expected to go on sale in H2 2017.
Hyundai has announced that it will rename the Kona in Europe, where the model will sell as the Hyundai Kauai. The Kauai is the fourth member of the Hyundai SUV family in Europe, which already has the Grand Santa Fe, Santa Fe and Tucson. As with these models, the name was based on a locality in America. Kauai is an island of the Hawaiian archipelago, a place Hyundai describes as having "great natural beauty and exuberance that conveys energy and dynamism."
The Hyundai Kauai is central to Hyundai's goal to achieve the No.1 Asian brand status in Europe by 2021, with the launch of 30 new models and variants.
The Hyundai Kauai features a brand new design with minimal content borrowed from current Hyundai models. It will target largely the European and western markets where customers are receptive to outlandish designs.
The Hyundai Kauai features a two-tone colour scheme, 'Cascading' front grille, two-tier headlamps with LED lighting, muscular fenders, integrated roof bars, grey body cladding, large five-spoke alloy wheels and sleek tail lamp on the outside.
Reports say that the Hyundai Kauai sits on the Hyundai i30's platform. While 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol, 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol and 1.6-litre turbocharged diesel would form the engine options initially, South Korean media says that Hyundai is also working on a battery-powered pure electric variant. Transmission choices should include 6-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Hyundai will offer all-wheel drive as an option to the front-wheel drive drivetrain layout.
Also Read: 2017 Hyundai Azera to hit the Middle East market this month
The Hyundai Kauai is expected to go on sale in the second half of the year. It will compete with the Toyota C-HR, Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Nissan Juke.
[Image Source 1: Autoplus.fr]
[Image Source 2: Autoplus.fr]
