Hyundai Courts Gen Z Fanatics With ’22 Kona N
“Never Just Drive” could possibly feel an odd model slogan in a earth rapidly accelerating towards an autonomous potential. But Hyundai’s escalating N general performance brand seemingly thinks more youthful buyers lifted on racing online video online games want anything additional than a self-pushed car, irrespective of whether it’s fueled by gasoline, electrons or hydrogen.
Driving lovers are intensely manufacturer faithful, according to Hyundai’s marketplace investigate, so the “affordable and accessible” N lineup is important. Its role is to entice new prospects early in their lives and to retain them in the brand spouse and children for years to appear.

With the new ’22 Kona N, the automaker is concentrating on “active youthful singles” and “enthusiastic younger families” in the hope that at the time they’ve owned an N-badged Hyundai, they’ll adhere with the organization as they increase more mature.
This is the major takeaway following a shorter “N Day” presentation in association with the full reveal of the company’s new Kona N. In the U.S. marketplace, the small CUV will be the second N-badged car. On the other hand, the similarly tuned Elantra N joins the lineup shortly and other models are on the way as Hyundai expands its sporty N Line and general performance-tuned N portfolio to 18 cars globally by the close of 2022.
The ’22 Kona N is the 1st N-badged CUV but Hyundai hints that it won’t be the last. It has a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cyl. building 280 hp and 289 lb.-ft. (392 Nm) of torque. Activate N Grin Change method and drivers can love an excess 10 hp for 20 seconds, with 40-2nd intervals between activation of the enhance.
Modified for improved toughness in the ’22 Kona N, Hyundai’s 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (N DCT) powers the functionality CUV’s front wheels. Hyundai claims the N DCT is particularly calibrated to empower the N Grin Shift, N Ability Shift, N Monitor Perception Change and Launch Management capabilities. Activate Launch Management and the Kona N zooms to 60 mph (97 km/h) in about 5.5 seconds. Top pace is a lofty 149 mph (240 km/h).
All-wheel travel is unavailable. Albert Biermann, president and head of R&D for Hyundai Motor Group, describes a entrance-generate configuration retains both equally car weight and the Kona N’s price tag down. With a superior set of winter season tires, he indicates, the CUV will have no trouble in the snow.
Hyundai relies on its N Corner Carving Differential digital confined-slip differential technological innovation to hold the ’22 Kona N’s front wheels under control. Drivers also can use the N Grin Management to pick concerning Eco, Regular, Activity, N and Personalized driving modes.
There is additional to the ’22 Kona N than a powertrain. Hyundai structurally reinforces the CUV for improved physique rigidity and to decrease overall body roll has an N-tuned electronically controlled 4-wheel impartial suspension. Rack-mounted electrical steering features a brief ratio for optimum responsiveness.
Light-weight, 19-in. solid aluminum wheels are wrapped in 235/40 Pirelli P Zero tires. An lively exhaust procedure is tranquil when you need it to be, and riotous when you want it to be.
Outsized dual exhaust shops punctuate the ’22 Kona N’s decrease rear bumper and Hyundai would make numerous practical style and design alterations that be certain you won’t blunder the Kona N for a typical grocery-fetching crossover. They selection from a wider front air intake for utmost cooling and a total aerodynamics kit to a double-wing rear roof spoiler. Purple accents also recognize the ’22 Kona N.
Inside (pictured, previously mentioned), Hyundai provides what it phone calls a “game-like” knowledge. Twin 10-in. (25-cm) shows deliver instrumentation and infotainment, and the ’22 Kona N also has a racing-type head-up display. Customizable N buttons give quick entry to beloved features and Hyundai claims it optimizes the facts displays for size and legibility, making sure rapid reference and readability at velocity.
Bolstered seats keep occupants in place although motorists grip a thick-rimmed performance steering wheel with paddle shifters and N perform buttons. The Kona N also incorporates a entire enhance of Safety Perception driving-guidance technologies.
Until Wartenberg, Hyundai vice president of N model Administration & Motorsport,says: “Driving was never ever intended to be unexciting and with N, it under no circumstances will be. This is mirrored with our new N brand slogan ‘Never just drive’ and will also be the guiding basic principle of the foreseeable future electrification of Hyundai N.”
In the course of its “N Day” presentation, Hyundai confirms an electric N product is “in the pipeline,” inferring it will be dependent on the automaker’s new Electric powered-World wide Modular Platform (E-GMP).
Kona N’s turbo-4 generates 280 hp, 289 lb.-ft. of torque.