Hyundai is catering to the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) that blend performance styling with sustainability by extending its sporty N Line trim to the Kona Electric. This marks the first time Hyundai’s electric vehicle lineup incorporates the N Line treatment, offering customers a stylish and sporty option.
The N Line trim on the Kona Electric focuses on enhancing the vehicle’s appearance, featuring more aggressive front and rear bumpers, gloss black mirror caps, 19-inch special wheels, and an optional two-tone black roof, an exclusive feature not available on other models. The interior receives N Line touches such as a dedicated steering wheel, metal pedals, black headliner, and sports seats.
The upholstery of the sports seats varies based on the model chosen in the UK market. The base N Line model, priced at £40,395 (RM242,219), offers cloth seats, while the N Line S, priced at £43,095 (RM258,406), provides an Eco Alcantara and leather combination. Both options include red contrast stitching, heated seats in the front and rear, with the N Line S adding ventilation, electric adjustment, dual-zone climate control with rear air vents, a Bose sound system, a full-width DRL light bar, and additional safety features.
Under the hood, both the N Line and N Line S models share the same electric powertrain, featuring a 65 kWh battery and a single 215hp electric motor driving the front wheels. The Kona Electric achieves a 0-100km/h time of 7.8 seconds. Customers also have the option to choose lesser Kona models with a 154hp electric motor and a smaller 48.4 kWh battery.
Hyundai’s decision to introduce the N Line trim to the Kona Electric aligns with the shift in consumer preferences, where electric vehicles are expected to offer both performance and aesthetic appeal similar to traditional combustion counterparts. The move reflects Hyundai’s commitment to providing a diverse and attractive range of electric vehicles for the market.
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has been quick to respond to the exemption of all import and excise duties for electric vehicles (EVs) announced just last Friday by the government for the proposed 2022 Budget. The exemption will certainly make fully electric vehicles more affordable, hopefully spurring interest among Malaysians to switch to them.
The Kona Electric has a different front end from the version with a combustion engine (below) as there is no need for the traditional grille since there is no radiator to cool.
More attractive pricing without taxes
Later this month, HSDM will begin selling the Hyundai Kona Electric, the fully electric version of the Kona SUV already sold in Malaysia since April this year. With the exemptions (normally a privilege given to royalty and diplomats), the model is expected to cost less than RM150,000 in standard form. This compares favourably with the version using a 2-litre Smartstream petrol engine that are priced at RM119,888 and RM136,888 (without insurance and 50% exemption on sales tax).
Customers will have a choice of two lithium-ion battery packs (at different prices, of course). The more powerful one will have storage capacity of 64 kWh for longer range while the alternative pack will have 39.2 kWh. With a fully charged pack, range claims are 484 kms and 305 kms, respectively, although this would depend on driving style and conditions, just like with combustion engines.
47 minutes recharging time
What would be of more importance to owners would be recharging time, something which will have to be a daily practice – just like charging your phone overnight. Hyundai claims that it should take around 47 minutes to recharge from 10% to 80% using a 100kW direct current (DC) fast charger.
The Kona Electric also has an optional 11-kW 3-phase on-board charger. This allows for significantly shorter charging times using public 3-phase AC charging stations or with a private compatible wall box at home. Drivers also have the option of charging their car at a compatible regular household power socket using the ICCB-cable (in-cable control box).
Things to consider buying an EV
Owning an EV will have to be carefully considered by those interested in having such vehicles. While you will certainly save on fuel costs and help save the planet, your personal circumstances will be a factor. If you live in a condo complex or apartments, you may not have a place to recharge your vehicle if the property owner does not provide convenient power points. Then you will have to rely on public recharging stations which, at this time, are not exactly plentiful. The situation will change in coming years, but it cannot be predicted how fast the private sector will develop the recharging network.
Visually, the Kona Electric resembles the other versions but has its own bumper, wheel and headlight designs. The front end is also more ‘sealed’ since the traditional grille is not needed for cooling purposes.
The interior has a similar horizontal layout as the other versions with new ambient lighting. The instrumentation reflects the EV-nature of the vehicle, with the tachometer space occupied by a meter showing the battery charge and power levels. There’s also a gauge to let the driver know how much range is left with the energy in the battery pack.
Performance-wise, the electric motor of the Kona Electric can generate 150 kW (equivalent to 204 ps) of power and 395 Nm of torque. You don’t get the sub-5 second times that you often read about with EVs, but it can go from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 7.9 seconds. The strong point about EVs is that all the torque is available from standstill so acceleration is exceptionally quick.
The Kona Electric is one of the early models in the growing range of EVs by Hyundai. The Korean carmaker plans to introduce 12 new fully electric models by 2025 and reach a sales volume of 560,000 EVs annually. Its entire line-up will be electrified globally by 2040, by which time it expects to capture 8% to 10% of the global EV market.
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Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has gained the brand a listing in the Guinness World Records with an altitude achievement by the Hyundai Kona Electric. The first fully Made-in-India electric SUV was driven to an altitude of 5,731 metres at the Sawula Pass in Tibet, breaking the previous record of 5,715.28 metres set by any electric car.
During the entire drive, the Kona Electric was charged every night using portable chargers that are provided as standard with the e-SUV. The crew reported that there were no performance issues while climbing the peaks. When descending on the steep gradients, the smart power regeneration system in the vehicle helped to improve the driving range.
Electric powerplant of Kona Electric produces 136 ps/395 Nm. The range on a full charge is certified at 452 kms.
With this achievement, the Kona Electric has proven its reliability, even in extreme operating conditions. During the journey, it performed as a true SUV and coped with harsh weather conditions like low temperatures, continuous snowfall and icy terrain. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system helped the driver to maintain control as it ensured the stability of the vehicle in all road conditions.
‘Emission Impossible Mission’
Commenting on this achievement, S.S. Kim, MD & CEO of Hyundai Motor India said: “Hyundai KONA Electric making to the prestigious Guinness World Records feat is a very proud moment for everyone and remarkable feat for HMIL. KONA Electric has brought Electric Revolution by demolishing various myths about electric vehicles and is a true expression of Hyundai’s spirit of staying ahead of the curve. Under the ‘Emission Impossible Mission’, KONA Electric has proved its mettle in the world’s toughest terrains without compromising its performance.”
The Kona Electric, priced at Rs 23.71 lakh (around RM135,500) is the First Long Range Green SUV in India with a certified range of 452 kms on a fully charged battery pack. To avoid any range anxiety, customers are provided with two chargers along with the car – a portable charger and an AC Wall Box Charger.
Additionally, in certain Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai, a Special Kona Electric fleet (KONA Electric to KONA Electric) fitted with power converter will provide emergency charging support to owners. All Hyundai dealerships which sell the Kona Electric have 7.2 kW AC Charger stations which are available to customers.
Electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous self-driving cars are going to be part of our lives in future. In Malaysia, perhaps it will take a while for them to become significant numbers although Edaran Tan Chong Motor is taking the initiative to start selling EVs such as the Nissan LEAF now. Autonomous cars will take a lot longer as our conditions present challenges, particularly in the area of safety.
In the more developed countries, the infrastructure is already well developed to enable autonomous cars to function safely. They need to have good roads and clear signage and not have motorcyclists weaving in and out of traffic. We have a long way to go in these matters…
California is one such place and the west coast state of America has traditionally been an ‘early adopter’ for the auto industry. For this reason, Hyundai Motor, in collaboration with Pony.ai and Via, will start running a fleet of self-driving Hyundai KONA all-electric SUVs around the community of Irvine.
Free shared, on-demand service
Known as BotRide, the free shared, on-demand, autonomous vehicle service will operate on public roads from November 4 this year. Using the BotRide app (iOS and Android), the public can hail an autonomous KONA directly from their smartphone. Via’s advanced algorithms enable multiple passengers to share the same vehicle. The app directs passengers to nearby stops to await pick-up and drop-off, allowing for quick and efficient shared trips without lengthy detours, or inconvenient fixed routes and schedules.
“The pilot service introduces BotRide to several hundred Irvine residents, including college students. The goal is to study consumer behaviour in an autonomous ride-sharing environment,” said Christopher Chang, Head of Business Development, Strategy and Technology division, Hyundai Motor Company. “We are going to learn about ecosystems, where the vehicles travel and optimize the customer experience. BotRide, is another example of Hyundai’s ongoing efforts to actively build expertise in mobility technology as well as the company’s commitment to providing more user-friendly mobility services to customers.”
Navigating complex road scenarios
Integrated Hyundai and Pony.ai technologies enable the BotRide vehicles to navigate complex road scenarios safely. These vehicles are equipped with Pony.ai’s latest sensor hardware and proprietary software to identify the precise position of surrounding vehicles, handle pedestrian traffic in urban areas, accurately monitor its surroundings, predict the behaviour of other road-users, and precisely plan actions accordingly. In addition to self-driving capabilities, BotRide is validating its user experience in preparation for a fully driverless future.
BotRide launches with multiple popular destinations where a passenger may hail a ride using the BotRide app. The service area covers several residential, commercial, and institutional points of interest. BotRide’s technology prioritizes passenger-to-system interactions such as automated onboard passenger verification, giving riders the chance to familiarize themselves with technologies expected to become commonplace in an autonomous mobility future.
“Through BotRide, Hyundai is leveraging cutting-edge autonomous vehicle and mobility technologies to introduce a new, safe, and convenient form of transportation to the public,” said Daniel Han, Manager, Advanced Product Strategy, Hyundai Motor America. “The BotRide pilot service represents an important step in the deployment and eventual commercialization of a growing new mobility business. In addition to the technology partners powering BotRide, the broader city and community ecosystem have also played an important role in making BotRide possible.”
Hyundai has unveiled the U.S.-market version of its convention-breaking Kona Electric crossover at the New York Auto Show. Kona Electric rides on an all-new CUV platform and is Hyundai’s first compact electric crossover for the U.S. market, appealing to consumers with active, eco-focused lifestyles of all kinds. Kona Electric’s exterior styling features voluminous, aggressive body styling complemented by a low and wide stance for great looks and confident handling in a variety of urban and adventure-oriented driving environments.
It joins Hyundai’s successful new Kona, Tucson and Santa Fe in a full line-up of Hyundai crossovers for the U.S. market. 2019 Kona Electric models will be produced in Ulsan, Korea and available in the fourth quarter of 2018, with initial availability in California and subsequently in the ZEV-focused states in the western and northeastern regions of the U.S. market.
“Our new Kona Electric crossover is a stylish and efficient compact CUV, tailored to the needs of customers who pursue eco-focused active lifestyles requiring generous range,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of Product, Corporate and Digital Planning, Hyundai Motor America.
“We’re confident it will set new standards for the electric-propelled compact CUV segment, with outstanding range flexibility, appealing design, cutting-edge connectivity and class-leading available safety features.” he added.
2019 Kona Electric Highlights
Compact electric CUV segment-leading 250-mile estimated range
Bold, fresh design elements with extroverted color options
LED headlight, taillight and daytime running light illumination signature
High-efficiency 201 horsepower (150 kW), 291 lb.-ft. electric motor powertrain
High-voltage 64 kWh lithium-ion battery
Standard floating touchscreen with Apple CarPlay™/Android Auto™ capability
Hyundai Smart Sense (HSS):
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Warning
Lane Keeping Assist
Blind-Spot Collision Warning
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
High Beam Assist
Premium technology availability:
8-inch Navigation System
Shift-by-wire center console drive controls with additional lower storage
Next generation Blue Link® connected car system
Heads-up Display (with active pop-up display screen)
Rain-sensing Wipers
Qi Wireless-device charging
Kona Electric offers a powerful, efficient electric drivetrain and a stylish, roomy interior. A whole host of advanced safety features are also available including Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Parking Distance Warning and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection.
