Hyundai is using Auto Expo 2018 as a platform to gauge the potential for its Kona SUV. The car fills the role of a small SUV in Hyundai’s international line-up and, in terms of length, it is actually shorter than the India-made Creta. However, the Kona is a more premium product and flaunts the latest from Hyundai in terms of design and tech.
The Kona is not an imposing SUV by any means, but it is rather well-styled. Though it features Hyundai’s new 'Cascade' grille, it is the slim LED daytime running lights positioned above the main headlights that really give the car a distinctive face. There’s an interesting mix of light-catching lines at the sides while the wheel cladding that wraps around the rear end and houses the indicator and reversing lights lends the Kona a funky look; slim LED rear lights and a spoiler are some of the other elements of note on the SUV.
Hyundai has tried to lend a premium feel to the Kona's interiors, too. The dash, which uses contrast colours to good effect, also houses a floating infotainment screen with screen sizes varying between 5 and 8 inches. Heads-up display is an option too, making this a cabin that would appeal to tech-savvy buyers.
In international markets, the Kona is available with a range of petrol engines, as well as a diesel engine. However, the version of the Kona under evaluation for India will not have a combustion engine at all, and would be a pure EV, as we exclusively reported way back in August. Final specifications of the Kona EV are not out as yet but the model is touted to have a range upwards of 300km on a full charge.
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Viraaj Bhatnagar
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