Hyundai this week, on the New York auto present, revealed U.S.-spec particulars for the redesigned 2024 Kona Electric, together with the Kona Limited and Kona N Line gasoline fashions.
What was lacking from the announcement was the Kona Hybrid, a mannequin that had been emphasised as a rising and necessary mannequin within the revised Kona’s international rollout.
Hybrid variations of the Kona aren’t a part of the plan for the U.S., in line with spokesperson Miles Johnson. Kona EV gross sales have been comprising about 6% of complete Kona gross sales up till now, in line with Johnson, however with the redesigned Kona lineup it plans to lift that proportion considerably.
What could assist allow broadened gross sales of the Kona Electric, regardless of its lack of eligibility for the revamped EV tax credit score, is the supply of a standard-range model providing a preliminary 197 miles of EPA vary from 48.6 kwh of capability—and nearly certainly a lower cost versus the outgoing 64-kwh mannequin’s $34,885 base worth. Up the lineup, the Kona Electric has a slight improve within the battery pack capability of its longer-range model—to 64.8 kwh, stretching its preliminary EPA vary out to 260 miles.
In the wake of EV tax credit score upheaval, that is a superb choice, because it leads with worth and would possibly keep away from the now-awkward pricing place of the otherwise-appealing 2023 Kia Niro EV. Pricing for the Kona Electric hasn’t but been revealed.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
Standard-range Kona Electric variations will make 133 hp, versus the long-range variations’ 201 hp, though each will make 188 lb-ft of torque. So anticipate standard-range fashions to doubtless speed up to 60 mph in nearer to eight seconds versus the long-range variations’ circa-seven-second time.
The choice to not carry the Kona Hybrid may additionally have been influenced by its relatively sluggish acceleration on this configuration—about 11 seconds for the 0-62 mph sprint, incorporating its 1.6-liter inline-4, 42-hp electrical motor, and 6-speed dual-clutch transmission with a 1.56-kwh battery pack.
The Kona Electric doesn’t function on the 800-volt structure that’s the inspiration for the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, amongst different fashions, though it’s fairly fast with the longer-range pack’s 400 volts, at 10% to 80% cost in 43 minutes, achievable with an more and more frequent 150-kw CCS fast-charging connector.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric (international)
The design of the Kona electrical, as seen in individual final week on the present, has change into sleeker and extra distinctive than that of the outgoing mannequin, and it boasts a coefficient of drag of 0.27. As Hyundai has hinted from the beginning with this era of the Kona, it developed the electrical model from the beginning—and utilized this “EV-led design” to the entire lineup.
As such, it borrows a number of the angular creasing and sculpting of the Tucson Hybrid crossover and Elantra Hybrid sedan households, nevertheless it’s the primary mannequin exterior the Ioniq EV lineup to herald the “Parametric Pixel” lighting—within the type of thin-strip detailing that up shut makes this mannequin look greater than an inch wider than the outgoing model.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
Dimensions are simply barely bigger in all elements, really. According to Hyundai the Kona is 5.7 inches longer, and it rides on a wheelbase 2.3 inches longer than the earlier model.
As earlier than, the Kona Electric doesn’t make any packaging sacrifices in EV kind, though it shares its platform with inside combustion variations. Hyundai says that the entrance seats are 30% slimmer, whereas the second row is a “curveless Bench Seat”—collectively boosting backseat house considerably. Cargo house is a beneficiant 25.5 cubic ft with the rear seatbacks up or 63.7 ft with them folded ahead, and an influence tailgate is now supplied. The shift lever has been moved behind the steering wheel to liberate console house, and there’s a really small frunk compartment underneath the hood.
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
Gasoline variations of the Kona, this time round, embody a 190-hp, 1.6-liter turbo-4 with an 8-speed automated transmission, and a 147-hp, 2.0-liter inline-4 that runs on the Atkinson cycle for larger effectivity. Kona Electric fashions get a multi-link rear suspension versus the gasoline fashions’ torsion-beam setup.
With no hybrid on board for the U.S., Hyundai has successfully underscored the stark distinction in technique versus rival Toyota, which is rolling out a sub-$30,000 Corolla Cross Hybrid. This week Toyota additionally confirmed plans to proceed increasing hybrid choices and add plug-in hybrids with way more electrical vary.
Hyundai says that gasoline variations of the 2024 Kona will arrive at U.S. sellers this summer time, whereas the Kona Electric will observe this fall. The 2023 Kona Electric was solely out there in 26 states, though Hyundai is steadily increasing EV availability. And with the standard-range Kona Electric becoming a member of the lineup, and pricing not but introduced, right here’s to hoping the Kona Electric shall be extra aggressive versus the $28,795 Chevy Bolt EUV.
Source: www.greencarreports.com