A 247bhp Hyundai Kona N Crossover Could Happen By 2020

The stupidly good Hyundai i30 N could be joined by a taller cousin within a couple of years.

The boss of Hyundai’s mightily impressive new N performance sub-brand has given the go-ahead for his engineers to build a hot Kona using the i30 N’s 247bhp engine and running gear.

Albert Biermann is quoted by Auto Express as saying:

“I’ve told [the engineers] to build the car and we’ll see what happens with getting it approved.

“It has to be the i30 N powertrain, really. Of course, we can give Kona different specifications on suspension and steering, although there are some common components we can use in that area as well, because it’ll be front-wheel drive, like the i30 N.

“But we already know that it has to be that car’s engine and gearbox for the Kona N, yes.”

To avoid treading on the i30 N’s toes it’s unlikely that the Kona would get the full-fat 271bhp Performance Pack option fitted to our long-term test car. It would, however, get N-grade styling with red detailing, pretty alloys and deep bumpers with complimentary side skirts.

If it eventually gets approval from Hyundai bosses, the Kona N could join the range in 2020, at about the same time as a Fiesta ST-rivalling i20 N, which is surely inevitable as a way for Hyundai to link directly to its success in the World Rally Championship.

Source: Auto Express