Hyundai Unveils the 2024 Kona Electric: New Design & Impressive Range!
Hyundai recently provided more details about the 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric, an upgrade to its current model available for less than $35,000 in the US. The new Kona Electric boasts improved aerodynamics, including a more streamlined nose and a full-width LED DRL. The design borrows elements from the Ioniq 5, but remains distinct. The car has an improved drag coefficient at 0.27 and features active grill shutters for enhanced airflow and battery cooling.
The new EV is larger in all dimensions, being 171.5 inches long, 71.9 inches wide, and 62.2 inches tall, and the boot space stands at 25.5 cubic feet. The battery capacity for the 2024 model is 64.8 kWh, up from the current 64 kWh, and it's expected to cover 260 miles on a single charge. Charging times have been optimized, with a 43-minute duration for 10 to 80% charge on a 400V Level 3 DC fast charger. There’s also an option for battery pre-conditioning in colder regions.
The power output remains consistent: 201 horsepower and 188 pound-foot of torque for the long-range version and 133 hp and 188 lb-ft for the standard range model. Notably, the Kona Electric is based on Hyundai's K3 platform, whereas newer EVs like the Ioniq 5 and 6 use the dedicated Electric-Global Modular Architecture (E-GMP).
Some new features of the Kona Electric include vehicle-to-load functionality, a Smart Regenerative system which adapts brake energy regeneration according to traffic conditions, a revamped interior, and dual 12.3-inch screens for infotainment and gauges.
Pricing for the new model will be disclosed closer to its late fall 2023 availability. Currently, the model starts at $33,500 before taxes and fees. Production for North America will be in Ulsan, South Korea, while European models will be produced in Nošovice, Czechia. As of mid-2023, Hyundai shipped nearly 40,000 units of the Kona Electric globally, with the Ioniq 5 being their top-selling EV.
Recently, Hyundai made headlines with some intriguing news. The much-anticipated Ioniq 5 N crossover was revealed by Hyundai at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Source: Hyundai
