Two years ago, Hyundai N President Albert Biermann let it slip that he wanted to fit the Kona crossover SUV with the same engine as the i30 N hot hatch. Starting this spring, car spotters have discovered multiple pre-production Kona N units, and today, yet another one hit the North Loop with slightly less disguise on than usual.
There is the Sonata-like radiator grille, redesigned headlights, a roof spoiler, and a rear diffuser harboring dual tailpipes. It is reported that the Korean automaker is giving the regular SUV a facelift along with designing the Kona N, so both can be expected to receive similar styling cues.
The car’s turbocharged two-liter / four-cylinder engine will link to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed dual-clutch transmission in the N spec, and will likely get a boost from 275 to 280 hp (from 205 to 210 kW). It should also boast AWD, something that Hyundai N generally shuns from.
Back in April, rumor had it that the Kona N would be revealed in July, but no further news followed that. Still, chances are good that both the 2021 facelift and the N debut sometime later this year.