Hyundai Motor Company introduced the Kona N, its first model released under the Hyundai N Brand with an SUV-style body. During the Hyundai N Day, an event dedicated to the N Brand, the leading South Korean automaker unveiled Kona N. Aside from highlighting the N Brand’s high-performance philosophies, Hyundai also hinted at more upcoming N model releases through the showcase.
The Hyundai N Brand
Established in 2015, the Hyundai N Brand merges practicality and high performance in creating vehicles. Over the previous years, the company launched other compact N Brand models, including the Veloster N and the i30 N. Besides steadily adapting to inevitable performance standard changes, the N Brand continues to address customers’ demand for optimum driving experiences.
“We are thrilled to share the mindset, spirit, and vision of the N brand,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive VP of Hyundai Motor’s Customer Experience Division. “Our continuously growing and more balanced portfolio will open new high-performance options, delivering the grin factor no matter what the propulsion technology or body type maybe.” The company official also said that Hyundai would lead the traditional ICE-powered high-performance automobiles with its industry-leading battery electric and fuel cell vehicle technologies.
Going Beyond SUV Limits
In addition to being the latest inclusion to the high-performance N Brand, Kona N is also the first N Brand vehicle to feature an SUV-style body. Notably, Kona N features a fusion of everyday utilities and racetrack capabilities and merges agility, speed, and versatility. Hyundai’s Kona N also exceeds ordinary SUV limitations through its outstanding performance levels, bringing added enthusiasm to everyday driving activities.
Furthermore, the company equipped the Kona N SUV with motorsport-inspired technologies, enabling it to excel on the racetrack. In particular, the Kona N supports a 2.0 turbocharged GDI engine, delivering a 280-horsepower maximum output and ensuring high responsiveness. Kona N also comes with an electronic limited-slip differential (E-LSD) technology for dynamic cornering and improved traction control.
Additionally, Kona N’s reinforced, lightweight body structure allows it to deliver better performance and endurance against extreme driving conditions. Hyundai also equipped the new SUV with upgraded brake pads and 19-inch light-alloy wheels. Kona N includes 10-inch infotainment and digital cluster system that simulates game-like driving experiences through the ‘N mode design.’ The infotainment system also features a head-up display (HUD) that provides driving updates, including lap times, track maps, and more.
