The new generation Hyundai Kona will arrive in Australian dealerships later this year, but there will be a staggered launch of the three new engine options: petrol, hybrid and electric.
He 2023 Hyundai Kona It’s getting closer to Australian showrooms, and the timing of the arrival of the first new model in six years is starting to become clearer.
Hyundai Australia has previously said that the new generation Hyundai Kona will arrive in the second half of this year.
But more details have now been revealed, indicating that regular gasoline variants will be the first to arrive, ahead of hybrid and electric models in limited numbers later this year.
Hyundai Australia expects supply of the new Kona to improve next year after production reaches capacity.
hyundai Dealers have been told that production of the gasoline-powered Kona variants will begin in June or July, pending any delays, ahead of hybrid and electric variants from September.
As previously reported, the refreshed model range has five variants, with the choice of front-wheel drive petrol or hybrid, N Line petrol with all-wheel drive, or electric power.
All model grades are expected to offer the option of the Hyundai N-Line Styling Package.
The price has not yet been confirmed; Current model ranges from $30,500 to $50,000 by car.
Given the significant changes, a larger body on new foundations, and with more technology, the 2023 Hyundai Kona is expected to be subject to price increases.
Pricing and exact specifications for the Hyundai Kona in Australia are expected to be announced closer to arrivals at local showrooms.
As previously reported, the most affordable model in the range, simply called ‘Kona’, is expected to offer a choice of ‘standard range’ front-wheel drive petrol, hybrid or electric.
Dealers have been told that the current Active, Elite and Highlander models are expected to be replaced by a single ‘Kona Premium’ model, offering ‘extended range’ gasoline, hybrid or electric front-wheel drive.
Overseas, the new Hyundai Kona is available with a choice of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (110kW/180Nm), a 1.6-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder (146kW/265Nm) and a petrol hybrid. and electric 1.6-litre (104kW/265Nm) claimed to offer real fuel economy similar to that of the new Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.
As previously reported, these engines appear to have been carried over from the previous range and are paired with front-wheel drive on the 2.0-litre petrol and 1.6-litre hybrid, or all-wheel drive on the 1.6-litre turbo petrol.
The high-performance Hyundai Kona N is not expected to carry over to the next-generation model, making the original the first and last car of its kind for the South Korean automaker.
The Kona Electric is expected to be available in standard range and extended range versions once production ramps up next year.
On the current model, the standard range combines a 100 kW/395 Nm motor with a 39.2 kWh battery for a range of 305 km.
Extended range claims 150kW/395Nm, a 64kWh battery and a WLTP driving range of 484km.
As previously reported, the new Hyundai Kona is 150mm longer, 25mm wider and 60mm taller than the car it replaces, which is said to offer more passenger and boot space.
A camouflaged example (above) was caught on camera earlier this year while testing on Australian roads.
Drive Reader Stacie submitted the photos of what appears to be a sporty N-Line model with 19-inch wheels, though it’s unclear what engine is under the hood.
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