Hyundai’s second EV, the Kona Electric, gets a 292-mile WLTP range from a single charge in its highest, 64kWh specification. Prices start at £24,995 for the lesser 39kWh version, including the Government's £4500 plug-in car grant.
The small SUV, the first EV in the segment, has two battery options, with the lesser option providing 186 miles of range from a 39.2kWh battery pack. Both variants have 104mph top speeds and 291 lb ft of torque – the same as the Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce. It'll be revealed in the metal at this year's Geneva motor show.
The 64kWh car costs £29,495 - a £4500 premium over the 39kWh car, and £2205 more than the entry-level Nissan Leaf - its closest rival. Orders open in August, with first deliveries likely commencing a few weeks after this.
The shorter-range version, which has a 131bhp motor sprints to 62mph in 9.3sec, while the longer-range, 198bhp variant takes 7.6sec, or the same as the Toyota GT86. Efficiency for both engines is as yet unconfirmed, but Hyundai is targeting 15.2kWh per 62 miles under the new WLTP testing regime. The charger port is located next to the Hyundai badge at the front of the car.
Hyundai claims that the car’s battery pack is integrated into the Kona’s platform without encroaching upon interior space, meaning that the regular Hyundai Kona’s luggage space is unchanged. Without the charge cable, the Kona Electric provides 373 litres, falling to 332 with the cable stowed. There’s additional storage space in the front of the car.
The Kona Electric’s lithium ion battery pack can be charged in as little as 54min to 80% capacity from a 100kW fast charger in long-range form, or 9hr 40min from a standard AC source. The same fast-charge time applies to the short range car, but the standard AC charge time falls to 6hr 10min.
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I wonder
Will there be a Kia version with a lower price tag..
Citytiger wrote:
yes/no... 2nd generation Niro launches in October with the short and long range powertrains. I doubt it will be cheaper but it may be slightly bigger and more practical than the Kona. It will be loaded with technology though. The Niro is one of 31 electrified vehicles Kia plans to launch by 2020 Its amazing how quick Kia/Hyundai are turning out these vehicles, many with new custom chassis designed for electrification from the start with further extension of their abilities built in. A certain premium UK manufacturer took like 120 years (well that's what the endless leaks felt like) to produce 1 fairly straight forward EV. Good time to add Kia or Hyundai to your dealership franchise if you want to sell cars!
Impressive
£25k or £26k
Join the queue as they'll never keep up with worldwide demand especially the faster version, to such an extent they'll wish they'd made the gap bigger
xxxx wrote:
Better value than they initially suggested.
Entirely subjective of course, but its a shame its so ugly. Theres currently (IMO) a clear divide between good looking expensive EVs (Model S, I-Pace, i3) and frumpy/ugly mainstream ones (Leaf, Ioniq, this).