Hyundai Kona Electric N Line Appears for Europe
Whilst the machine shown in these digital images are technically for a European model, it is all but certain this electric N Line will be available in America very soon.
But don’t get yer knickers twisted: This isn’t the full-fat N version – yet. What you see here is the N-Line, a model that in Hyundai-speak bears some semblance to an eventual raucous N variant but maintains a workaday powertrain. It is being reported this new Kona Electric makes 215 horsepower in Euro spec. Right now, the most powerful Kona Electric trims in America are the SEL and Limited, both of which belt out 201 horsepower.
Spotting the N Line in traffic will be easy thanks to a unique front fascia, side skirts, and gear like mirror caps. Those 19-inch wheels appear to be specific to the N Line, as well. The wild(ish) split rear wing we’ve seen on other speedy all-electric Hyundai models is not present here, suggesting it will either be reserved for the actual N or as an accessory.
Recall the new-for-this-year Kona was designed as an EV first, not the other way around, meaning its all-electric gubbins weren’t shoehorned into a platform intended for internal combustion. That being said, history teaches us Hyundai is likely to sell far more Kona crossovers with ICE propulsion instead of EV guts, marking one of the few models on our shores to be marketed in such a manner. Add in the existence of several other generally excellent EVs in Hyundai showrooms – Ioniq 5, et al – and one can say there is definitely no shortage of choice in the stores of this Korean automaker.
For comparison purposes, the 2024 Kona Electric currently has a sticker price between $32,675 for an SE and $41,045 for a Limited. Its internally combusted brother has the same trims, priced at $24,100 and $31,650 respectively. The N Line, already available in ICE form, is $30,650. With that in mind, we’ll estimate the Kona Electric N Line will be right around 40 grand when it comes to market in this neck of the woods.
Production of the Kona Electric N-Line for European customers will kick off next month.
[Images: Hyundai]
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Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.
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- 1995 SC This seems a bit tonedeaf.
- 1995 SC Well I guess that will be the final nail in the Mini EV's coffin here. It was already not especially competitive, had no range and was way overpriced for what you get, but I like to get stuff like that used and well depreciated on occcasion though I likely would have passed anyway due to the Chinese manufacture.
- MKizzy If China-branded vehicles arrive on these shores filling the gaping hole of sizes, body styles, and price points largely abandoned by established automakers, they will immediately find an interested customer base among those low/middle income consumers whose parents were (un)happily puttering around in old Hyundai Excels and Yugo GVs. Personally, I do think BYD or another of their major automakers will eventually circumvent the tariffs by building in Mexico and sending vehicles north.
- Lou_BC Are you not entertained?
- Urlik Why it isn’t smaller like the CX-7 was compared to the CX-9. The size is why we passed, they need a tweener again.
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The crease in the door? That's just a crush zone in case of side impact.
Didn't Giugiaro's Scirocco debut in 1973, before the Pony?
We rented a used Pony on St. Martin in the early 80's. Thankfully, it could seat five people (not comfortably) because all five had to get out and push it up each hill.
While the Pony and later the Excel didn't quite excel at much other than punch lines, H/K/G has come a long way since then.