Kona Electric SUV launched

A first fully-electric Kona SUV has been revealed by Hyundai Motor in a global digital launch, offering two different powertrain versions.

Pricing hasn’t yet been released, and the electric SUV will be launched in New Zealand, Korea and Europe later this year, and Australia possibly later this year as well.

The long-range 64kWh battery version provides a driving range of up to 470km, delivering a maximum output of 150kW.

With a battery capacity of 39.2kWh, the basic version drives up to 300km on a single charge with the motor delivering 99kW.

Both versions produce 395Nm of immediate torque and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds, reaching up to 167km/h.

The Kona’s new platform enables space-saving integration of the lithium-ion polymer battery pack.

Looking similar to the non-electric Kona, it has a closed grille and a dedicated interior centre console for intuitive operation of the shift-by-wire module for the electric powertrain. The new seven-inch supervision cluster provides relevant driving information, additionally the combiner head-up display projects it directly to the driver’s line of sight.

The Kona Electric is a roomy, versatile car, making it suitable for everyday use, and it has a wide range of active Hyundai SmartSense safety features, Hyundai says.

“By launching our all-new Kona Electric, we are pushing our ambitious eco car strategy forward,” Hyundai Motor Europe marketing and product vice-president Andreas-Christoph Hofmann says.

A wide range of connectivity features are offered, such as the infotainment system which integrates navigation, media and connectivity features, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Wireless Charging.

The interior includes features such as power front seats with eight-way electric adjustment.

The legroom in the first row is 1054mm, while passengers in the backseat have 850mm of legroom. Headroom accounts for 1006mm in the front and 948mm in the rear. Luggage space totalling 332 litres. That includes charging cable storage, with both versions having a 7.2kW AC onboard charger (nine hours and 40 minutes charging for long range pack and six hours and 10 minutes for the shorter-range pack). It’s also capable of DC fast-charging up to 100kW, which takes about 54 minutes to reach 80%.

Drivers have the option of charging their car at a compatible regular household power socket using the ICCB-cable (in-cable control box). The charging port is in the vehicle’s front next to the Hyundai logo.

The Kona has a choice of seven exterior colours and three roof colours.

The electric Kona’s launch is ahead of its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.