Hot new 2021 Hyundai Kona N teased ahead of launch

The Hyundai Kona N will make its debut on 27 April, sporting the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the i30 N


Hyundai is gearing-up for the launch of the Kona N – a hot SUV due later this mont to rival the Ford Puma ST.

These selectively framed teaser images are our latest look at the new Hyundai Kona N, giving us a close-up look at the new car’s production-ready alloy wheels and automatic gear selector. 

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However, previous spy shots remain the most revealing glimpse so far. At first glance, it looks like the new Kona N will feature more performance trinkets than its N-badged stablemates, the i30 N and i20 N, as Hyundai tries to place more distance between it and the regular Kona line-up.

Not only does it get trademark N touches, such as red pinstriping, aggressive looking grille-work, new aerodynamic fins and a bodykit taken from the Kona N-Line, it also has a huge pair of exhausts and large, black alloy wheels. It’s all integrated into a new look based on a facelift to the standard Kona introduced in 2020. 

The Kona N sits closer to the ground than the standard model, thanks to a sportier suspension setup. Behind the new alloy wheels, there’s also a larger set of discs and uprated calipers that feature Hyundai’s N performance logo.

Hyundai’s mechanical upgrades will be equally extensive, with a limited-slip differential, launch control and sticky Pirelli tyres all finding their way onto the finished car. Inside, buyers should get a similar level of equipment to the i30 N, with a pair of figure-hugging sports seats, a new sports steering wheel and an aluminium pedal box.

Hyundai has previously confirmed that the Kona N will be powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the i30 N. There’s also confirmation that hot hatchback’s six-speed manual transmission won’t be available. As hinted by the brand’s latest teaser, the Kona N will be exclusively available with the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox recently introduced to the i30 N line-up.

Performance figures are yet to be released but, as it shares the same engine as the i30 N, the Kona N should have at least 247bhp as standard. However, there’s scope for even more grunt, because Hyundai’s range-topping i30 N Performance pack increases the engine’s output to 271bhp and 378Nm of torque.

The Kona N will join an expanded line-up of performance models from Hyundai’s hot offshoot, with the new i20 N hot hatchback also arriving in Europe soon. Prices should start from a Ford Puma ST-rivalling £27,000. 

Would you choose a Kona N over a Ford Puma ST? Let us know in the comments…

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