The second generation Hyundai KONA is already on sale in many markets around the world and Hyundai plans to add a KONA Electric N-Line according to the pictures captured by our colleagues at ShortsCar. Will this movement be a one step closer to the rumored All-Electric KONA N?.
What we know so far?
At the time of the European press event, Mr. Park remarked that if the second generation KONA N will happen, it may return as an all-electric vehicle. “For Kona, we have a focus on ICE, EV, and hybrid, and are considering N as well. We are seeing the feedback and market reaction from the market about Ioniq 5 N.” Park said.
While this can make you think if this is the end of Hyundai N combustion engines, it makes sense to clarify that Hyundai designed the new Kona from the beginning as an all-electric car and then adapted it to use with internal combustion either, so it will be easy to create an all-electric N than make room for a big combustion engine.
With the first electric N product already debuted, the recently launched and long awaited IONIQ 5 N, the South Korean automaker has put a lot of effort to ensure it will drive and feel like a combustion-engined performance vehicle. “Technically, it’s easier for us to make an N high-performance version of the dedicated EV because of the platform,” Park said. “We can bring out the high-performance output; but based on the non-dedicated platform with an ICE or EV, we have to look at different options,” Park added.
To be more clear, Mr. Park said: “The ICE N is not our consideration. Based on the feedback of IONIQ 5 N, we’ll make a future decision.” So the decision is not that far has the feedback received from the IONIQ 5 N was overwhelming.
