Hyundai reveals all-electric Kona 27 | 02 | 2018
HYUNDAI HAS RELEASED the first images of the new all-electric version of its small SUV, the Kona. The car, which will be capable of covering up to 292 miles on one full charge, will make its full public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.
Scheduled to go on sale from Scottish dealerships in the summer, prices are expected to start around £25,000, before government grants are taken into account. It’s also likely that in the UK, Hyundai will focus on lease deals rather than cash purchases.
Badged Kona Electric, the car will be offered with a choice of powertrains. Both will use a lithium-ion battery pack. The entry-level is fitted with a 39.2kWh battery that can cover up to 186 miles on a single charge. Featuring a 99kW electric motor with 395Nm, it can reach 62mph in 9.3 seconds before topping out at 104mph.
The long range 64kWh version, which can travel 292 miles on one charge, despite having a more potent 150kW motor (also 395Nm). It’s capable of covering 0-62mph in 7.6secs.
According to Hyundai, these figures were calculated under the WLTP testing cycle, which is more rigorous than the NEDC test currently used for official economy and CO2 emissions data. Full-capacity charging times for the cars via a 7.2kW home AC charger are 6hrs 10mins for the small battery, and 9hrs 40mins for the larger unit.
Inside the cabin, the Kona Electric is similar to other versions of the Kona, apart from a different centre console which incorporates the controls for the car’s shift-by-wire system.
Th Electric gets a 7in touchscreen infotainment system, offering both Android and Apple smartphone integration, fitted as standard. An upgraded 8in set-up will be available on the options list.
The car also gets a smart-looking head-up display which can show everything from speed and the fuel level, to navigation instructions. The boot is capable of stowing 373 litres. This falls to 332 litres when you factor in space for cable storage.
Related: Hyundai teases 2018 Santa Fe
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Jim McGill