Hyundai has confirmed its first N SUV, the Kona N, will touch down in Australia this year.
CarExpert understands it should arrive around the middle of this year.
It’ll use a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and Hyundai’s new eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission that’ll debut in the updated i30 N hatchback and new i30 Sedan N this year.
What isn’t yet known, however, is whether the Kona N will also offer the option of a six-speed manual transmission like the mechanically-related i30 N.
CarExpert understands the Kona N will be available only with front-wheel drive like the i30 N, despite the availability of all-wheel drive in the regular Kona line.
We expect it to use an electronic front differential to help get power to the ground, and that power will come from the i30 N’s 2.0-litre turbo four.
It produces 206kW of power and 392Nm of torque, though a less powerful tune with 184kW and 353Nm will be available in other markets.
Expect to see a sub-6.0-second run to 100km/h for the Kona N, based on the performance of the i30 N. The Kona N will also have launch control.
The hot small SUV will essentially have no direct rivals, at least not until the Volkswagen T-Roc R arrives.
Expected to launch locally in 2022, the all-wheel drive T-Roc R uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine making 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque.
Hyundai plans to introduce eight N or N Line models in Australia by year’s end, which we understand includes the updated i30 N hatchback and the Kona N, i30 Sedan N and i20 N.
There will also be N Line versions of the new i30 and Sonata sedans plus the updated Kona and new Tucson.
MORE: Hyundai Kona news, reviews, comparisons and videos
MORE: Hyundai news, reviews, comparisons and videos
