Hyundai has enhanced its KONA range with a new Hybrid model that utilises the same powertrain as the IONIQ hatchback
The quirky crossover is already offered with conventional petrol and diesel engines, alongside an all-electric variant, but that line-up will expand this August when the Hybrid version goes on sale.
Hyundai says the new model is responding to demand from European customers wanting more eco-friendly models.
The KONA uses the same 1.6-litre 104bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine as the IONIQ in combination with an electric motor and a 1.56kWH lithium ion battery.
The powertrain produces a total of 139bhp and 265Nm of torque, sent to the front wheels via a six-speed dual clutch transmission. Hyundai is claiming a fuel economy figure of up to 72.4mpg, with CO2 emissions of 90g/km.
As with the recently-updated IONIQ, the KONA comes with ‘Blue Link’ connected services that work with a smartphone app, with a seven-inch touchscreen being included as standard with ‘Live’ navigation services that aim to provide real-time data.
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A 10.25-inch screen can be had as an extra, with this coming with something known as ‘eco driving assist’, which is a system that works with the navigation to alert the driver when to decelerate in a bid to limit brake usage and increase fuel consumption.
The Hybrid is hard to distinguish from the rest of the range, although it features new 16- and 18-inch alloy wheels alongside a unique colour pack, which features a combination of white and gloss black accents next to a grey headlining.
Continuing with Hyundai’s reputation for safety, the KONA Hybrid is equipped with the ‘SmartSense’ package, which includes automatic emergency braking and warning, alongside lane-keep assist and high beam assist, with adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring available as optional extras.
Full prices and specs will be announced nearer to when the KONA Hybrid goes on sale in August.
