The first all-electric European-bound crossover is here
Hyundai has just let the wraps fall off the 2018 Kona Electric small SUV that's going on sale in Europe later this year.
Dubbed as "a car of no compromise," the Kona Electric will offer two powertrain choices with different ranges, so we're looking at a short-range version and a long-range one.
The basic, short-range version relies on a 39,2-kWh battery pack powering a 99 kW (135 PS) electric motor, while the long-range powertrain couples a 60-kWh battery to a 150 kW (204 PS) electric motor. Maximum range of the basic version is estimated at 300 km, while the long-range model can go for 470 km on a single charge, according to Hyundai's literature. Transmission modes are handled through a shift-by-wire module.
Both versions get 395 Nm of torque and can reach a top speed of 167 km/h, but the short-range version needs just above six hours for a full charge while the long-range model will see its battery juiced up to 100% in nine hours and 40 minutes – both values are valid when charging from standard AC outlets.
Performance-wise, the basic Kona Electric needs 9.3 seconds to clear the 0-100 km/h interval while the long-range model only requires 7.6 seconds to close the same gap.
You'll be able to tell apart the ICE Kona from the Kona Electric courtesy of a closed grille – no air flux needed to feed the engine anymore, LED DRLs positioned above the LED headlights and a two-tone roof. The Kona Electric also gets 17-inch alloy wheels and stretches at 4,180 mm in length, which is 15 mm over the regular Hyundai Kona.
Inside, the Kona Electric adds a new storage space found underneath the center console, HUD and a seven-inch high-res instrument cluster that shows relevant vehicle and driving information.
On the practical side, the new Kona Electric offers 332 liters of boot space (373 liters if the charging cable is taken out). The Koreans also mention "legroom in the first row is 1,054 mm, while passengers in the back benefit from 850 mm of legroom."
Safety features bring together the likes of smart cruise control with stop and go, lane keeping and lane following assist, blind spot collision warning and speed limit warning.
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