It’s official: the new small SUV that accompany the range of Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe to Kona family will be called. It will arrive in summer to stand up to Renault Captur leader.

more than two years ago, most executives of leading car brands confirmed us in every presentation of a new model that segment forward for the future was the small SUV. Then seemed contradictory, does a type of vehicle that stands out for its versatility and functionality monopolizing suddenly smaller categories? Today certainly, we can confirm. To the Nissan Juke first were adding the Opel Mokka, Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008… and now a flood of models already announced they will become strong in 2017. We talk about new Opel Crossland X, Arona Seat, VW Polo SUV or Smart SUV, among others.

Well, although it was an open secret, we can now officially confirm it: all this list will add this summer the new Hyundai Kona. The first small SUV segment B of the South Korean brand will come backed by the growing success of Hyundai in the category where the Tucson gradually has been confirmed as one of the reference models. Further, will share architecture and many components another brother of the group: the new Kia Stonic also should soon also reach the market. In the gallery you can see the Hyundai ix25 Hyundai Concept and Crete which will take many traits.

One of the great secrets of Hyundai was the name of the new SUV. Kona refers to a region of the coast of Hawaii (United States), a regular destination for those who like surfing, water skiing and scuba diving. According to Hyundai, the new model also reflects a design “innovative, practical and very functional“. He further reflect “the adventurous and energetic spirit” and thus continues the tradition of the brand names to choose destinations: thus came before the Tucson, Crete, Santa Fe and Veracruz, to give some examples.

Hyundai Kona: the widest of its kind?

Hyundai also ensures that the launch of Kona new mark new references in its category in terms of performance and functionality particularly. Following attributes already expressing the Tucson in its segment also in terms of comfort, the Kona and promises “the best interior space in its class“In the words announced by Hyundai itself.

Dynamically the new Hyundai Kona could be built on a modified platform from the new i20 and should have much of the progress that has been released just weeks ago the compact i30. The logic is that, as a star versions, bet on gasoline model engine of a 3 cylinder 1.0 liter T-GDi 120 hp (Which could accompany the 4-cylinder 1.4 T-GDi 140 hp), while in Diesel 1.6 CRDi 95 and 110 hp (You may also 136 hp) will form the core of the offer. The traditional manual gearbox will add also the 7DCT automatic dual clutch transmission speeds and 7 how good is giving operation. It is likely that all versions are front-wheel drive and, like the Kia Stonic, that in the future this Hyundai Kona offers a plug-in hybrid or hybrid version taking advantage of the propulsion system of the Kia Niro.

Also, Hyundai also says the new Kona headlined by offer an innovative design that reveal the future direction it will take in the whole picture next generation SUV models. The new Kona is therefore also a vital launch a brand and says he wants to become in 2021 the first automaker in Europe leading Asia. Leaders Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008 and will soon Nissan Juke for another grueling rival.

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