Kona N

[GreenenvyFiST]

Kona N updated info is out.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a36230625/2022-hyundai-kona-n-specs-revealed/

No AWD. FWD 8spd DCT 286hp (in overboost mode) 2.0L engine. Hyundai is stated to have no plans to offer the Kona N in AWD.

Should still be fun with an lsd and save weight as well.

 

[skold]

Kona N updated info is out.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a36230625/2022-hyundai-kona-n-specs-revealed/

No AWD. FWD 8spd DCT 286hp (in overboost mode) 2.0L engine. Hyundai is stated to have no plans to offer the Kona N in AWD.

Pass...rather just get a Veloster N in manual.

Also, the comments in the article pretty much say it all...should have at least been AWD. AWD plus manual would have been a grand slam. AWD would have at least been a home run... even if it cost a couple thousand more. At this price for FWD, what's the point?

 

[Business6]

Unsurprising. $35k was never going to happen with AWD but it's going to be a beast

 

[MagnetiseST]

Also, the comments in the article pretty much say it all...should have at least been AWD. AWD plus manual would have been a grand slam. AWD would have at least been a home run... even if it cost a couple thousand more.

Target market isn't single enthusiasts who have cash for a fun car laying around.

At this price for FWD, what's the point?

Target market again. This isn't for the all out performance enthusiast whose life revolves around cars and racing. Its for the people who still want to have fun but need a car to cart their family around in as well. Its by far more practical than the Veloster N, and the fact that it doesn't come in a manual forces people who absolutely must have a manual to buy a Veloster or Elantra N (keeping those sales up). Anyone can drive it so it becomes a "cool family car" instead of just a car that only one person in the family can drive.

 

[skold]

Target market isn't single enthusiasts who have cash for a fun car laying around.



Target market again. This isn't for the all out performance enthusiast whose life revolves around cars and racing. Its for the people who still want to have fun but need a car to cart their family around in as well. Its by far more practical than the Veloster N, and the fact that it doesn't come in a manual forces people who absolutely must have a manual to buy a Veloster or Elantra N (keeping those sales up). Anyone can drive it so it becomes a "cool family car" instead of just a car that only one person in the family can drive.

I won't argue with your theory but we'll see how that really pans out. Everyone I know that goes with an SUV absolutely requires AWD if nothing else because it goes hand in hand with the perceived safety improvement of having a SUV over a car. The only real target they might hit is those with a perceived practicality of a compact SUV over a hatchback and with no desire for a manual.

 

[kevinatfms]

That is a shame. Pretty much ruined it for alot of people that wanted a new generation GMC Typhoon. This is just a bloated/lifted hatchback. They already had the i30N in other markets and instead of bringing that here they neuter a performance SUV with front wheel drive.

 

[TyphoonFiST]

They only "Downplayed " AWD....FYI. it hasn't been fully revealed as of yet. Hyundai could drop a huge BOMB on the Automotive world still. I'll hold out hope that they are tight lipped and will bring AWD. There was an article in Australia that said it was going to be AWD. I think alot of people missed that and it got swept under the rug. Keep your hopes up......it still may be a last second unveil.

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[skold]

They only "Downplayed " AWD....FYI. it hasn't been fully revealed as of yet. Hyundai could drop a huge BOMB on the Automotive world still. I'll hold out hope that they are tight lipped and will bring AWD. There was an article in Australia that said it was going to be AWD. I think alot of people missed that and it got swept under the rug. Keep your hopes up......it still may be a last second unveil.

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That would be a clever move and make a LOT of people happy!

 

[M-Sport fan]

Target market isn't single enthusiasts who have cash for a fun car laying around.



Target market again. This isn't for the all out performance enthusiast whose life revolves around cars and racing. Its for the people who still want to have fun but need a car to cart their family around in as well. Its by far more practical than the Veloster N, and the fact that it doesn't come in a manual forces people who absolutely must have a manual to buy a Veloster or Elantra N (keeping those sales up). Anyone can drive it so it becomes a "cool family car" instead of just a car that only one person in the family can drive.

True, but if the market is NOT 'all-out performance enthusiasts' then WHY would the general 'family mover' practicality only concerned populace even lay out all of that extra coin for an N version, over just an optioned out higher model Kona, in the first place?

Solely for the 'looks', or to brag that they have a 'rare' Hyundai??

 

[skold]

True, but if the market is NOT 'all-out performance enthusiasts' then WHY would the general 'family mover' practicality only concerned populace even lay out all of that extra coin for an N version, over just an optioned out higher model Kona, in the first place?

Solely for the 'looks', or to brag that they have a 'rare' Hyundai??

Obviously, it would only appeal to folks who like sporty cars but I think that is most people. I don't know if I would consider the N an all-out performance car anyway...just a Kona with the performance it should have had in the first place. Then again, I am biased. You make good points though and I have absolutely no real expertise on target market and all of that jive.

 

[DoomsdayMelody]

True, but if the market is NOT 'all-out performance enthusiasts' then WHY would the general 'family mover' practicality only concerned populace even lay out all of that extra coin for an N version, over just an optioned out higher model Kona, in the first place?

Solely for the 'looks', or to brag that they have a 'rare' Hyundai??

It’s for people who like the idea of a hot hatch but don’t want a “small” car.

I asked a similar question when Ford made the Edge and Explorer “ST” but allegedly those are selling well enough.


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[kevinatfms]

It’s for people who like the idea of a hot hatch but don’t want a “small” car.

I asked a similar question when Ford made the Edge and Explorer “ST” but allegedly those are selling well enough.


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the Edge and Explorer were already hot in the Sport trim. They just got rid of all the sport trim models for the ST moniker as it sold better in compact and subcompact markets.

the Edge and Explorer Sports are literally The exact same trucks as the ST versions with slight updates.

 

[GreenenvyFiST]

Bottom line is money! A DCT transmission will sell a lot more than a manual. Sad but true most people buying a small crossover can't or don't want 3 pedals.👀😫

 

[kevinatfms]

Bottom line is money! A DCT transmission will sell a lot more than a manual. Sad but true most people buying a small crossover can't or don't want 3 pedals.👀😫

Dont think anyone is complaining about the DCT. Its been proven to be an awesome unit. People are miffed about the thing being front wheel drive when you can get the lower trim in all wheel drive.

Its a front wheel drive performance CUV....

 

[TyphoonFiST]

How much is a Rs? How much is an STI and Even an Evo.... When new? Around the same price point* So....in the end....what I've seen for their "excuse" is cost* what a load of shit. What's another $1500 or make it an option at least. I'll bet it would outsell the FWD every single day of this millennium.

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[MagnetiseST]

How much is a Rs? How much is an STI and Even an Evo.... When new? Around the same price point* So....in the end....what I've seen for their "excuse" is cost* what a load of shit. What's another $1500 or make it an option at least. I'll bet it would outsell the FWD every single day of this millennium.

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People that are looking to buy an RS, Evo or STI are not looking at or cross shopping a Kona N. They likely would also have to ditch the N E-LSD since it takes the place of the intermediate shaft on the passenger side, they would need the room for the transfer case. You're basically asking for a full re-design of the N DCT transmission just to appease a small market, that is nonsensical.

They only "Downplayed " AWD....FYI. it hasn't been fully revealed as of yet. Hyundai could drop a huge BOMB on the Automotive world still. I'll hold out hope that they are tight lipped and will bring AWD. There was an article in Australia that said it was going to be AWD. I think alot of people missed that and it got swept under the rug. Keep your hopes up......it still may be a last second unveil.

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If you didn't watch the N Day feature about the Kona N, then I could see how you'd think this. They flat out say it in the N Day press release video that it is FWD with NO plan to make an AWD variant.


Bottom line is: the people complaining that it isn't AWD probably wouldn't buy one in the first place anyway. Its a bigger, more practical, Veloster N with a great DCT transmission, a fun car that you can justify spending the money on for your "family car" because it meets more than the most basic of those needs with no issue. If you NEED AWD because of weather or climate, well that sucks doesn't it. There are plenty of FWD vehicles that get by in the snow just fine (just like the FiST).

 

[TyphoonFiST]

People that are looking to buy an RS, Evo or STI are not looking at or cross shopping a Kona N. They likely would also have to ditch the N E-LSD since it takes the place of the intermediate shaft on the passenger side, they would need the room for the transfer case. You're basically asking for a full re-design of the N DCT transmission just to appease a small market, that is nonsensical.



If you didn't watch the N Day feature about the Kona N, then I could see how you'd think this. They flat out say it in the N Day press release video that it is FWD with NO plan to make an AWD variant.


Bottom line is: the people complaining that it isn't AWD probably wouldn't buy one in the first place anyway. Its a bigger, more practical, Veloster N with a great DCT transmission, a fun car that you can justify spending the money on for your "family car" because it meets more than the most basic of those needs with no issue. If you NEED AWD because of weather or climate, well that sucks doesn't it. There are plenty of FWD vehicles that get by in the snow just fine (just like the FiST).

You could use a PTU instead of the standard Transfer case. You are wrong about people who are shopping Rs's ...Evo's and STI's. They are looking for performance * that's what the Kona N brings. Look at alot of Manufacturers utilizing AWD NOW that haven't in the past in their vehicles....example Nissan and Toyota/lexus. Didn't take much redesign to incorporate AWD there did it? Nope....did price go up? Some but not substantially. The FiST blows donkeys in the Snow with A/s tires. Ask anyone.....its spin city without Snow tires. They will see the missed opportunity and regret it. They obviously surveyed someone like yourself about the Kona N .If they would've surveyed real performance enthusiasts it would've been AWD. I'll go test beat one and see if it's worth buying and then invest in some wheels and tires....which come out to be the cost of AWD in the size it would require. So I guess it would suck to own one when it could've just been AWD with A/s tires to avoid the seasonal issue.

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[MagnetiseST]

I still make the argument that AWD ≠ performance. Hyundai isn't known for a performance AWD system and they'd have had to develop it for this car. The existing system isn't performance based and would likely have lead to a slew of other changes that needed to be made to coolant systems and other things. Look at the Focus RS system, the PTU over heats and shuts it down after some abuse. The STI and Evo were designed from the ground up for AWD and as such had everything properly in place to make them work correctly.

It seems like it would've been an after thought on the Kona N, or like it was jammed in there. It would've needed new calibrations and it probably wouldn't have been a purely mechanical system therefore needing the N team develop a performance programming for it as well.

I still think the car will be just fine, and sell just fine without it.

 

[kevinatfms]

You could use a PTU instead of the standard Transfer case. You are wrong about people who are shopping Rs's ...Evo's and STI's. They are looking for performance * that's what the Kona N brings. Look at alot of Manufacturers utilizing AWD NOW that haven't in the past in their vehicles....example Nissan and Toyota/lexus. Didn't take much redesign to incorporate AWD there did it? Nope....did price go up? Some but not substantially. The FiST blows donkeys in the Snow with A/s tires. Ask anyone.....its spin city without Snow tires. They will see the missed opportunity and regret it. They obviously surveyed someone like yourself about the Kona N .If they would've surveyed real performance enthusiasts it would've been AWD. I'll go test beat one and see if it's worth buying and then invest in some wheels and tires....which come out to be the cost of AWD in the size it would require. So I guess it would suck to own one when it could've just been AWD with A/s tires to avoid the seasonal issue.

I agree with you. They have the DCT in other configurations that could be adapted.

And I was 100% looking for something to replace my Fiesta ST that was 4 door, a bit bigger and with performance chops. Had this been AWD i would have been at the Hyundai dealer today putting a deposit down for a hold on the first one that came in the door. I wasnt buying it for snow. I wanted one for a growing family, that i can still track(yes you can track SUVs) and have fun on the weekends. I have a Colorado Z71 for daily driving.

 

[MagnetiseST]

I don't understand the hang up on the AWD. It is not that important and it is not an end all be all performance system. I've owned two WRXs and one STI, I can say that as much fun as the launches are they were less fun and less "performance" feeling than the Veloster.

I think you'd enjoy the Kona N just as much without AWD.