Photo: SB-Medien
Kia and Hyundai are slowly giving up on all normal, boring compacts in North America. Fortunately, the new Kona N is both strange and exciting, as proven by our latest spyshots.
Hatchbacks are apparently boring, but if you give them just a bit of body cladding, they can pretend to be crossover. And thanks to the performance badge, the Kona N has the right to give up on any suspension lift.
These latest spyshots spyshots show the new model at the legendary Nurburgring in Germany, where the latest N model was undergoing testing. We've seen it before, but Hyundai has stripped another layer of camouflage, allowing us to see some of the major design changes.
As you can probably tell, the front sports new headlights and a different grille. The combo resembles Hyundai's latest Santa Fe, so we wouldn't be surprised if this trickles down to a refresh for the entire Kona range. Around the back, the Kona N begins to resemble its closest cousin, the Veloster N.
The two share an affinity for large exhaust pipe tips and a thick aero package wrapped around the rear windshield. It's also got a diffuser, but this appears to be of the pointless variety.
In terms of powertrain, you can't expect any surprises here. The Kona N will be powered by the familiar 2.0-liter turbo also, most likely offered with 250 horsepower. A $2,000 "Performance Package" will increase the output to 275 hp while also adding a mechanical LSD, variable exhaust, better wheels, and upgraded brakes.
Shifting gears yourself could be an option, but the good news of the 2021 model year is that Hyundai has finally finished the development of a twin-clutch gearbox, so you won't have to learn the heel&toe technique. Prices will start at around $30,000, which isn't that bad considering what people pay for a Golf R or a MINI Countryman JCW.
These latest spyshots spyshots show the new model at the legendary Nurburgring in Germany, where the latest N model was undergoing testing. We've seen it before, but Hyundai has stripped another layer of camouflage, allowing us to see some of the major design changes.
As you can probably tell, the front sports new headlights and a different grille. The combo resembles Hyundai's latest Santa Fe, so we wouldn't be surprised if this trickles down to a refresh for the entire Kona range. Around the back, the Kona N begins to resemble its closest cousin, the Veloster N.
The two share an affinity for large exhaust pipe tips and a thick aero package wrapped around the rear windshield. It's also got a diffuser, but this appears to be of the pointless variety.
In terms of powertrain, you can't expect any surprises here. The Kona N will be powered by the familiar 2.0-liter turbo also, most likely offered with 250 horsepower. A $2,000 "Performance Package" will increase the output to 275 hp while also adding a mechanical LSD, variable exhaust, better wheels, and upgraded brakes.
Shifting gears yourself could be an option, but the good news of the 2021 model year is that Hyundai has finally finished the development of a twin-clutch gearbox, so you won't have to learn the heel&toe technique. Prices will start at around $30,000, which isn't that bad considering what people pay for a Golf R or a MINI Countryman JCW.
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