First Look: 2022 Hyundai Kona N

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Hyundai revealed the latest ‘Nember’ of the clan today, the 2022 Kona N. This global model – which may differ slightly from what eventually arrives in Canada – is the first SUV to pin an N badge on its lapels. 

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Here’s what we’re looking at: 

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Hyundai stresses that the new Kona is not just a utility vehicle, but a true motorsport-inspired performance vehicle with “racetrack capabilities and ‘corner rascal’ ride.” 

The ordinary 2022 Kona comes with a 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine making 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, but here in N Land things are quite a bit more exciting. Under the hood of the 2022 Kona N sits a 2.0 L turbocharged GDI engine, fitted with an 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission and tuned to kick out 276 horsepower (286 with the brand’s N Grin Shift overboost feature). That torque goes selectively to the driving wheels with the help of Hyundai’s N Corner Carving Differential, a type of electronic limited-slip differential. 

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With Launch Control activated – a feature available in all models, including the base – the SUV will run up to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and eventually reach a maximum speed of 240 km/h. 

Hyundai seeks to gamify the motorsport experience inside the SUV with a new 10-inch infotainment screen, digital cluster and head-up display that allow drivers to receive details like N track maps and lap times. They’ve also included some customizable N buttons that drivers can program to perform various functions. Five drive modes are available – Eco, Normal, Sport, N, and Custom – each adjusting engine response, stability control, steering, and exhaust sound.

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The Kona N wears N-exclusive 19-inch lightweight forged wheels set wide beneath body-coloured fenders and fitted with high-performance tires and brakes. And it’s got access to a new paint as well: Sonic Blue, contrasted by a red accent that runs along the lower body. 

The latest in the N brand won’t be the latest for long. Hyundai says it’ll be expanding the N and N Line lineup to 18 models through 2022. What’s more, it’s not likely to be “just an ICE” thing, either. 

“We are thrilled to share the mindset, spirit and vision of the N brand to be a leader in the high-performance category powered by traditional internal combustion engines as well as our proven industry-leading battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicle technologies,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Division at Hyundai Motor Company in a press release. “Our continuously growing and more balanced N portfolio will open new high-performance options, delivering the ‘grin factor’ no matter what the propulsion technology or body type may be.” 

Canadian specification details on the 2022 Kona N will be made available in the coming months.