Fieldays 2018: Hyundai

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One year after launching the company's first full-electric car, Hyundai has revealed its second EV model for the first time in New Zealand which features double the range, power and segment appeal.

The Hyundai Kona Electric, modelled after the Kona small SUV launched earlier this year, will be the first full-electric compact SUV to go on sale in New Zealand when the first models arrive in showrooms from August.

Due to "massive public interest," Hyundai New Zealand especially organized a pre-production model to be flown in for the model's public debut at Fieldays this week.

Hyundai New Zealand General Manager Andy Sinclair says the Kona Electric blends ground-breaking EV technology with New Zealand's favourite body style, the SUV.

"We have worked hard to ensure New Zealand is one of the very first markets to be able to see the Kona Electric," said Sinclair.

While two models are available in European markets, only the long-range Kona Electric will arrive in local dealerships.

"Recognising that an electric SUV has to be up to the challenge of the active, outdoors kiwi lifestyle, we have gone for the Kona with the longest range, meaning an owner in Wellington can head off for a weekend to Taupo without worrying about the need to recharge along the way," said Sinclair.

The Kona Electric's motor is a direct development of the technology used in Driven's 2017 Green Power Car of the Year winning Ioniq sedan, which features a range real world range of 200km.

The Kona Electric is fitted with a 64kWh lithium-ion polymer battery providing a range 'real world' range of 400km, but the model has been rated with a range of 470km overseas.

The electric motor delivers 150kW of power and 395Nm of immediate toque, capable of propelling the SUV from a standstill to 100km/h in 7.6 seconds.

The battery can be recharged up to 80 per cent in 54 minute using a 100kW fast charger, while a full charge will take up to 10 hours on a standard AC charge.

Apart from its drivetrain and driver cockpit, the new model is similar to other Kona models.

Kona Electric features the Hyundai's SmartSense safety package including the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist and Intelligent Speed Limit Warning, which displays the speed limit in the info screen cluster.

The car's infotainment system has both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto accessible by the dash mounted LCD touchscreen, and the Elite model comes equipped with a Krell eight speaker 45 watt sound system.

"We see an electric version as a chance to offer our customers another way to enjoy the new Kona's style and practicality with emission free performance," said Sinclair.
Final pricing will be announced closer to the launch date however customers can pre-order now from local dealer.