Hyundai rolled out the 2022 Kona N yesterday at its N Day, a digital showcase for the N brand. The latest N brand inclusion, Hyundai’s N and N Line will grow to 18 models through 2022. Hyundai expresses its ambition for the brand with the tagline ‘Never just drive’.
The Kona N has a 2.0 liter, turbocharged GDI engine, and 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (N DCT). The N DCT is claimed to be a more durable version of Hyundai’s 8DCT. Faster shifting and unique gear ratios are what’s inside. N Grin Shift (NGS), N Power Shift (NPS), and N Track Sense Shift (NTS) are its transmission-shift modes.
Two-hundred and seventy-six horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque are on tap with N Grin Shift, and the N’s max goes to 286 hp. The Kona N maxes out at 149 mph and will go 0-62 mph (100 kilometers for the metrically-minded) in 5.5 seconds with launch control activated. Its curb weight is 3,340 pounds.
N’s corner-carving differential is the electronic limited-slip diff (E-LSD) that controls torque distribution. Kona N runs 19-inch forged wheels with performance brakes and tires. N Grin, launch control, and the variable exhaust system are standard on base-level Kona Ns. N Grin has Eco, Normal, Sport, N, and Custom driving modes. These modes adjust engine operating parameters, electronic stability control (ESC), exhaust sound, and steering.
Inside the Kona N, there’s a 10-inch Nfotainment system with a heads-up display (HUD) for the gamer in you. The infotainment system is not yet N-designated. The N mode design adds digitized elements, lap times, and N track maps to help you if you actually take the Kona N to the raceway.
There are also widgets to max out your fun and entertainment, at least to the degree you can enjoy yourself while behind the wheel. There are also N-brand color accents, seats, steering wheel, shift knob, and pedals.
Body-colored fenders and the N-specific wheels elevate the Kona N’s appearance. A new N exclusive color, sonic blue, contrasts the N red accent color. An N front lip, double-wing spoiler, and side skirts are styling accents that double as performance enhancements.
Take the front bumper’s shape, said to provide hot lap engine cooling. Or the roof spoiler, which enhances downforce no doubt for added traction.
What we didn’t get from Hyundai was when the Kona N will be available, and at what price it will sell for when it does hit showrooms. Given how information has come from the automaker in dribs and drabs, it figures. Maybe there’ll be yet another post, or will we move on to something else that’s new and shiny?
[Images: Hyundai]
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