2021 Hyundai Kona N teased
After months of rumours and spy shots, a trio of official teaser images of the 2021 Hyundai Kona N have at last been released, ahead of the Hyundai performance SUV's anticipated unveiling in the coming months.
Three Christmas-themed images published on Hyundai N's Instagram page – one of which is captioned "A new N is coming to town..." showcase an upcoming N performance model, wrapped in the same conspicuous 'camouflage' that adorned the i30 Sedan N in teaser images released in November 2020.
While the vehicle's identity has yet to be officially confirmed, its distinct roof rails, large windows and tablet-style infotainment screen all-but-confirm it is the Kona N, the turbocharged, high-performance version of Hyundai's Kona small SUV.
A post shared by Hyundai N (@hyundai_n_worldwide)
While the teaser posts reveal few hard details of the Kona N, the model is widely expected to draw significant mechanical inspiration from the related i30 N hot hatch, namely its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which develops up to 206kW of power and 392Nm of torque in facelifted, 'Performance Package' equipped hatch models.
Drive in the i30 N is sent to the front wheels through a choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions – with the auto likely to be standard-fit on the performance Kona, with the availability of all-wheel drive on the cards (though not officially confirmed).
The fitment of an all-wheel-drive system with the Kona N would make it a natural rival for one of the few non-luxury, performance SUVs bound for Australian shores, the 221kW/400Nm, all-paw Volkswagen T-Roc R, which is due to lob Down Under sometime in 2022.
A post shared by Hyundai N (@hyundai_n_worldwide)
Complementing the Kona's performance powertrain will be a sport-oriented exterior body kit, with spy shots suggesting it will comprise of more aggressive front and rear bumpers, black side skirts, unique alloy wheels, a large rear diffuser, race-inspired rear spoiler and N badging.
The 2021 Hyundai Kona N is expected to be revealed in full in the coming months, ahead of a rumoured Australian launch late in 2021. Stay tuned to CarAdvice for more teasers and details of the performance SUV as its public debut nears.
Below: An artist's rendering of the 2021 Kona N, created by KKS Studio