The Hyundai Kona is one of three debuts for the Korean brand that considers Frankfurt its home motor show in Europe.
The new Kona small SUV, the i30N performance model and the i30 Fastback coupe variant have all been created at Hyundai’s European and German headquarters – the brand has its design, technical and testing centres, and its motorsport operations, in the region around Frankfurt.
Closely related to Kia’s Stonic also debuting at the show, the Kona will go on sale with optional on-demand all-wheel-drive and a range of powertrain options including the latest double-clutch automatic transmissions. It is expected to target the likes of the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, and like the Stonic will become one of the biggest-selling models for its brand.
Race-inspired hot hatch
The i30 N is Hyundai’s first performance model to go on general sale, and is inspired by the recently launched Touring Car racer built to the global TCR series regulations. It uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 250hp in standard from – this can be boosted to 275hp with the optional Performance Package, cutting the 6.4-second 0-62mph time to 6.1 seconds.
The i30 Fastback will provide Hyundai with a contender in the growing five-door coupe segment. It will be powered by two downsized turbocharged petrol engines carried over from the recently launched latest Hyundai i30 hatch models, and will be supplied with the latest Hyundai SmartSense active safety and driving assistance technology.
Hyundai is also showing a new powertrain line, dubbed Smart Stream. First in the new line-up are a 1.6-litre T-GDi engine and an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. New technologies on the engine include Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD), which independently tunes valve opening and closing to maximize performance and fuel economy while cutting emissions. The transmission, meanwhile promises quicker and smoother gear changes than its predecessor, also contributing to lower fuel consumption.