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2021 Hyundai Kona Electric facelift revealed

Written by Nizam Shaikh

Hyundai has unveiled the new Kona Electric facelift for the international market which now comes with a design that reverberates with the internal combustion engine-powered Hyundai Kona. The changes are not only limited to its exteriors but Hyundai has also added new technology, worked on the aerodynamic efficiency and added safety features on the new Kona Electric. The powertrain is carried over from the pre-facelift car. 

On the outside, the new Kona Electric features a new front fascia with the multi-faceted reflector headlamps borrowed from the ICE Kona, a blanked-out grille which neatly incorporates the charging socket. A new grille on the lower apron with clean uncluttered lines, vertical aeroducts that flank the lower bumper and incorporate themselves with the wheel arches improving the aerodynamic efficiency of the EV, body-colour painted wheel arches, new design alloy wheels with air curtains. The rear bumper and the tail lamps have also been refreshed with more clean lines and a wraparound look for the lower units. The taillamp internals has also been changed. The new Kona Electric is also 25mm longer than the previous model. Hyundai has also added 9 exterior colour options on the new Kona Electric. 

On the Inside, where the dashboard layout remains the same, the new Kona Electric features a 10.25-inch digital cluster, along with an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, for the first time. It also incorporates the latest Bluelink and Hyundai LIVE Services along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. With the 8-inch system, customer’s can wirelessly connect their smartphones to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The new Kona Electric also features remote charging which can be used to pre-heat the powertrain and cabin on a colder day using the external power source. Customers can also choose from a Single-Tone Black package and Dual-Tone Grey interior package. 

The upgraded Kona Electric also features Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) with emergency brake assistance to avoid a collision. Hyundai has also added Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), Safe Exit Warning (SEW) and Rear Seat Alert (RSA) to the existing range of safety features on the new Kona Electric.

The Kona Electric is powered by a 134 PS / 395 Nm permanent magnet synchronous electric motor with a single-speed reduction gearbox coupled to a standard 39.2 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack or an optional 204 PS / 395 Nm electric motor matched to a 64 kWh battery pack. The 39.2 kWh battery provides 305 km of range WLTP and the 64 kWh battery provides a range of 484 km on the WLTP cycle.