Hyundai Kona N SUV broadens crossover's appeal alongside EV price cuts

Hyundai is set to broaden the appeal of its Kona crossover with the launch of a 280PS high-performance Kona N and revised pricing to ensure the electric vehicle (EV) version complies with the revised plug-in car grant (PiCG).

The Korean car brand released more details of the Kona N this week, with news that the range's newest addition will mate an eight-speed wet-type dual-clutch transmission to its two-litre turbocharged engine.

The dual-clutch transmission, known as N DCT, provides the experience of a sequential gearbox with the convenience of an automatic transmission, said Hyundai.

Andrews-Christoph Hofmann, vice president of marketing and product at Hyundai Motor Europe, said: “The addition of the N DCT allows us to expand on the N brand’s ‘Fun to Drive’ philosophy.

“By integrating it into the all-new Kona N, we’re enabling all sorts of high-performance driving features and turning the Kona N into a true ‘hot SUV.’”

Hyundai recently announced it was enhancing its range of electrified models with the launch of the new Tucson plug-in hybrid and updated Kona Electric.

And this week it further extended the appeal of its Kona Electric with list price revisions ensuring that it now has the longest range of any PiCG eligible EV.

While the Kona Electric 39KWh have been reduced, with the SE Connect now costing £30,395 and Premium at £31,745, the 300 mile-range Kona Electric 64KWh now costs £34,995 in Premium specification.

Hyundai Motor UK managing director, Ashley Andrew, said: “When it comes to electric vehicles, cost is a big consideration so it was important for us, in light of the changes to the PICG, to provide our customers with some additional savings, which we hope will help to maintain demand for zero emission vehicles."