Hyundai teases Kona N performance SUV

The Kona is Hyundai’s B-segment compact SUV and it is the latest prey of the people at the N division. Hyundai had released images of the Kona N sport crossover a couple of months ago in camouflage disguise but now the wraps are off and we have an idea about how the brand’s first ever performance SUV will look like.

As it is with other N models, the Kona N gets more aggressive styling to make it look sportier; up front it has a large grille with N badging and functional air intakes on the sides of the bumper. It gets the N division’s famed red accent treatment to differentiate it from other variants. At the rear the Kona N has twin exhaust pipes, a diffuser and a double-wing roof spoiler which houses the third triangular brake light, a signature of the N models. The Kona N also features a blackened roof to make it look sportier. Hyundai has not released the interior images of the Kona N yet, but N cars are prone to get sportier seats, a digital instrument cluster and driving modes.

Hyundai also hasn't given away details of the Kona N’s powertrain, but we’re expecting it to borrow the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that roughly makes 276bhp and the eight-speed dual clutch transmission that sends power to either the front or all wheels from its other N siblings, the i30 and the Veloster.

N is to Hyundai, what AMG is to Mercedes-Benz. It was established in 2013 and it has since been rolling out sportier motorsport-inspired N variants of cars like the Veloster and the i30. The Hyundai Kona N is aimed at people who want the driving fun of a Hyundai N model with the comfort and convenience of an SUV. Hyundai is reportedly going to bring the N performance models to India by mid-2021, their first car to bear the N badge on Indian soil is set to be the i20 N-line followed by the (fingers crossed!) full-fledged i20 N. And knowing India’s insatiable appetite for SUVs, could the Kona N be on the cards as well?