The dark-themed Kona Iron Man Special Edition.
SEOUL: If the all-new Kona isn't already funky enough, Hyundai Motor unveiled a special edition that gets funkier. The special edition shares the name of the Marvel’s heroic and powerful character - Iron Man.
The Kona’s design is inspired by the strong, armoured appearance of the Iron Man suit, with its powerful lines echoing the sensual body of the comic and cinematic hero. Again, aligning its characteristics with the technologically advanced Stark Industries armoured suit, the Kona Iron Man Special Edition majors on safety and advanced technologies.
With greater width (+40mm) the Kona Iron Man Special Edition presents a confident stance while suggesting a voluminous interior. Further visual enhancements set apart the Iron Man edition from the standard Kona. Special LEDs are applied to the headlights, which sit beneath a matt grey hood, embellished with red and gold accents.
The Kona Iron Man Special Edition’s dynamic exterior is further complemented by a 19-inch directional wheel badged with an Iron Man Mask in the centre as well as off-road tyres 716mm in outside diameter.
The special edition will go on display at Hyundai Motor’s Motorstudio here for a month following its global reveal.
The Kona is named after a Hawaian coastal region famed for surfing, diving and sportfishing.
With an all-new compact SUV platform developed, te new Kona is offered with a combination of petrol and diesel engines of various power outputs - dependent on the market.
A 2.0-litre MPI Atkinson engine produces 149PS, with a 0-100kph time of 10 seconds and a top speed of 194kph. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the engine delivers maximum torque of 179Nm at 4,500rpm.
The Gamma 1.6T-GDI engine boasts 177PS, a 0-100kph time of 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 210kph. The engine delivers maximum torque of 265Nm from 1,500 to 4,500rpm and is mated to Hyundai’s efficient and responsive seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (7DCT).
In addition to the 1.6T-GDI engine, customers in Europe can also opt for Hyundai’s downsized 1.0 T-GDI turbocharged three-cylinder engine with six-speed manual transmission. This turbo-charged powerplant is optimised for efficiency and produces 120PS, a 0-100kph time of 12 seconds, top speed of 181kph and maximum torque of 172Nm from 1,500 to 4000 rpm.
Also available will be a 1.6 diesel engine for select markets, including Europe.
Hyundai's Motorstudio in Seoul.
In front, the "composite lamps" enhance the Kona’s high-tech and mechanical appearance. The slim daytime running lights (DRL) incorporate turn signals and are positioned in a stack, separate to the LED headlights.
The compact SUV also adopts Hyundai Motor’s new family identity, the Cascading Grille, featuring a sporty mesh pattern, flanked by exceptional wing-type fenders that dominate the front design.
The contrasting black "armour" on the side provides a protective skin and visually connects the front to the rear.
As with the front LED arrangement, the rear light configuration also creates a signature appearance. The slim brake lights, turn indicators and reverse lamp are placed in a separate configuration, surrounded by protective skin that begins at the C-pillar garnish.
To personalise the Kona, the roof is finished with a two-tone colour scheme, providing high contrast between the body and wheels.
What the cabin looks like in the standard Kona.
The standard Kona boasts a suite of advanced technologies, paired with user-friendly functionality. The infotainment system offers various advanced connectivity features, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay where specified with a 5-, 7- or 8-inch display (offered as standard or option dependent on market). Further options include DAB digital radio (Europe), HD Radio (North America), rear view camera display, and 4G telematics (North America) to ensure absolute connectivity.
A new combiner Head-Up Display (HUD) is fitted to the Kona, projecting a virtual image onto the clear glass panel mounted behind the instrument panel to enable the driver to keep his or her eyes on the road. With a projected image size of eight-inches at a two metre distance and class-leading luminance of more than 10,000 candela per square meter, the Kona’s combiner HUD ensures both excellent day- and night-time visibility. Information projected to enhance safety and usability include speed, navigation instructions, Lane Departure Warning messages, and audio information. Deployed vertically by a touch of a button beside the steering wheel, the combiner disappears into the dashboard when not in use.
In a first for the segment, the Kona features smartphone wireless charging, available as an option. Located in the centre console storage, it enables a compatible smartphone to be charged wirelessly.
The Kona was developed with a focus on enhanced driving dynamics and responsive performance for city driving. It has a wide, long wheelbase and short overhangs to create a planted stance when driving at speed.
The vehicle offers three drive modes (Sports, Normal and Eco). In Sport mode, there is a greater emphasis on acceleration with early downshift on braking, while Eco mode optimises fuel economy over performance with longer gear ratios.
To integrate the optional four-wheel drive system, Hyundai Motor engineers created a new intercooler layout and setting for the transmission to minimise intrusion into the cabin space. The rear layout of the platform is also optimized to save space. The suspension, fuel and exhaust components carefully package to maximize rear occupant room.
The front suspension features a McPherson strut system. Different rear suspension systems have been developed for both 2WD and 4WD, to deliver a comfortable ride and sporty handling with either drivetrain. At the front, the rear subframe receives new bush structure for the 2WD suspension set-up, with a high-stiffness torsion beam for greater stability and control. The 4WD configuration features a dual-arm multi-link suspension system to refine overall driving dynamics on all surface types.
