BERLIN — Hyundai’s first-generation full-electric Kona has exceeded expectations. Final yr the small SUV was the No. 9-selling EV in Europe.
Primarily based on that efficiency, the Korean automaker has set its sights even increased for the second-generation mannequin that arrives later this yr.
Hyundai Europe CEO Michael Cole mentioned he expects the electrical Kona to account for 60 p.c of gross sales for the mannequin line, which is able to embrace combustion-powered and full-hybrid variants.
That might be up from sharply from the present electrical Kona, which accounted for roughly 40 p.c of the mannequin line’s gross sales in 2022, in response to figures from market researcher Dataforce.
To assist the brand new Kona get to the following degree, Hyundai elevated the dimensions of the second-generation EV, responding to buyer demand for extra inside house, making it one of many largest small SUVs accessible in Europe’s hottest section.
At 4355 mm lengthy – 175 mm (about 7 inches) longer that in its predecessor – the brand new Kona EV tops rivals such because the Dacia Duster (4341 mm), Peugeot 2008 (4300 mm) in addition to the segment-leading Volkswagen T-Roc (4236 mm).
“Prospects requested us for extra inside house and a wider tailgate. We delivered, extending the Kona’s wheelbase by 60 mm in addition to making it 25 mm wider and 20 mm taller,” Hyundai design head SangYup Lee instructed Automotive Information Europe on the media lunch for the mannequin household in Berlin final month.
Lee mentioned the brand new Kona’s design is purposely very totally different from the Ioniq 5 midsize SUV’s clear, sharp traces and the sleek Ioniq 6 midsize sedan.
“Like on a chessboard, every bit has a really distinctive design, however collectively they make an entire group,” Lee mentioned.
Regardless of delays attributable to a world semiconductor scarcity, Hyundai is sustaining a six-year life cycle for its fashions, which is one yr lower than most manufacturers.
The primary-generation Kona debuted as a combustion-powered mannequin in mid-2017, adopted by the full-electric variant 18 months later.
Hyundai will scale back the lag time with the second-generation Kona’s combustion model happening sale in Europe subsequent month adopted 4 months late by the battery-powered variant.
Each derivatives of the automobile have been proven on the occasion, though Hyundai has not shared European specs for the combustion model. Hyundai may also provide the Kona with a full-hybrid powertrain.
The multi-energy new mannequin carries over the K3 structure from its predecessor, which provides a 400-volt electrical structure. By comparability, the Ioniq 5 and 6 use Hyundai’s E-GMP (Electrical International Modular Platform), which had an 800-volt electrical structure, leading to quicker recharge occasions.
Hyundai mentioned it takes 41 minutes to cost the brand new Kona from 10 p.c to 80 p.c utilizing a quick charger, whereas to do the identical with the Ioniq 5 takes lower than 20 minutes.
Hyundai designed the primary the battery-powered model of the Kona to be aerodynamic to extend vary. That development continued with the brand new Kona, which has a 0.27 drag coefficient, down from 0.29 for its predecessor.
The brand new mannequin additionally makes use of energetic air flaps within the entrance to cut back the airflow when it’s not wanted for cooling. Lee mentioned this characteristic will not be quite common on small SUVs.
Lee is especially pleased with the brand new Kona’s so-called Pixelated Seamless Horizon Lamps. This can be a single line of LEDs that goes from one facet of the Kona’s entrance to the opposite facet. The identical is true for the again, giving the small SUV its a singular lighting signature.
Contained in the automobile, the Kona’s shift-by-wire gear selector has been relocated from the middle console to behind the steering wheel, which permits extra storage within the console space, that options foldable cupholders and might accommodate massive luggage.
The brand new Kona could be locked, unlocked and began by means of the Digital Key 2 Contact, utilizing near-field communication (NFC) on smartphones or good watches.
The brand new battery-powered Kona will proceed to be supplied in two configurations.
The usual vary variant comes with a 48.4-kilowatt-hour battery coupled with a 114.4-kilowatt (156-hp) electrical motor. The promised efficiency is 15.7 kWh of vitality consumption per 100 km and a variety of 342 km, primarily based on WLTP requirements.
The long-range Kona variant {couples} a 65.4-kWh battery with a 160-kW (218-hp) motor. The promised efficiency is 15.1 kWh/100 km and a variety of 490 km.
All variations of the brand new full-electric Kona might be manufactured on the firm’s manufacturing unit in Nosovice, Czech Republic. Beforehand, Hyundai made right-hand-drive electrical Kona derivatives in Ulsan, South Korea, which is the place all combustion-powered Konas and can proceed to be constructed.
With mixed gross sales of 99,703 models, the Kona was Hyundai’s No. 2-selling mannequin forward the Tucson compact SUV final yr. Damaged down additional, the non-electric Kona was the model’s No. 3-seller and the electrical Kona was No. 6 on the record (see desk, beneath).