Car News News

Hyundai Kona (Electric) spotted testing, launch in 2019

Written by Nizam Shaikh

The future of automobiles is definitely electric. With depleting resources, skyrocketing fuel costs and increasing air pollution in metro cities, it is time to turn over to the green page. Many car manufacturers are now offering their electric car options and many have already introduced the hybrid electric technology in their vehicles. Slowly even more people are switching over to electric cars. And as more electric charging stations are built, even more will be encouraged. Electricity from clean grids such as solar and wind energy can provide power to these vehicles ensuring a minimal carbon footprint.

Hyundai India is now set to introduce its crossover styled small SUV, the Hyundai Kona electric to Indian market. A production-ready model was spotted testing in India and is expected to debut soon. Hyundai will bring the Kona via the CKD route. Hyundai had also revealed the Kona at multiple events on Indian soil already.

The Indian spec Hyundai Kona electric will be in the base and mid-spec trim. The exterior of the Hyundai Kona electric are bold and muscular with headlight integrated in the bumper along with LED DRLs flanking the bonnet shut line. LED light at the rear has a wrap-around design and overall the car looks quite modern, and well, different. Of course there is plenty of body cladding all around to give it that SUV / crossover look.

On the inside, the Hyundai Kona electric has a large cabin with high-quality materials. A 7-inch touch screen infotainment screen and a clean minimalist design approach is seen. Multi-function steering wheel, digital MID, automatic climate control, multiple airbags, digital speedo console and more is expected in the Hyundai Kona.

Powering the Hyundai Kona is a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) with a power output of 139 PS with a front wheel drive, single-speed transmission and a 39 kWh battery that offers a range of 288 km on a single charge. However, there is a more powerful 204 PS motor with a larger 64 kWh battery offering a range of 446 km. The latter may not be introduced in India, of course for reasons relating to cost.

The Hyundai Kona may be priced at around INR 25 lakh ex-showroom.

Source