One of the fascinating vehicles in its category is the 2023
Hyundai Kona N. It melds “ready for the track” with “compact crossover,” resulting in an unconventional yet exceptional driving
experience. However, with
a new generation of Kona making its debut, the future of the current model seems uncertain.
During the recent introduction of the new Kona, Se Hyuk Park, the head of the automaker’s compact vehicle project management group, shared insights. This information was later officially corroborated by a Hyundai spokesperson who conveyed that: “The
production of a new, high-performance KONA N is something that may be considered down the line. The company has highlighted its vision for high-performance electrification through RN22e and N Vision 74.” In essence, it’s not part of the immediate plans.
During the car’s unveiling,
it was evident that if there is a sufficient
demand for a fresh Kona N, the company might explore the possibility of putting one into production. Notably, there’s already an N-Line variant of the Kona available, featuring the visual enhancements reminiscent of a track-ready
edition of the new compact crossover. It’s conceivable that some of these enhancements could be retained in a more potent iteration of the vehicle.
It’s evident that the primary focus for the new Kona is on its electric variant, which was the first design among the various trims. Like other automakers, Hyundai is keen on boosting the sales of electric vehicles. A powerful yet fuel-thirsty model in a lineup that also includes zero-emission offerings may not align well with future strategies.
However, the company is not abandoning performance altogether, as suggested by the statement. Hyundai is exploring electric vehicles that replicate the sensation of gear shifts in traditional combustion engine cars and has previously showcased high-performance hydrogen-powered vehicles. Additionally, a high-performance “N” edition of the Ioniq 5 crossover is in the pipeline, indicating that Hyundai may view it as a spiritual successor to the smaller Kona.
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