2018 Hyundai Kona – You drive it. You define it.. 2018 Hyundai Kona – Drive, Interior and Exterior. Subscribe.
– Hyundai expands the New Kona’s powertrain line-up with a newly developed, efficient Smartstream 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine
– Smartstream powertrain technology increases performance and reduces real-life fuel consumption
– The 1.6 T-GDI petrol engine is now available with front-wheel drive
– New shark fin antenna contributes to the car’s bold character
– The New Kona engine line-up builds on Hyundai Motor’s SUV credibility with a progressive design to enhance the brand’s appeal
Hyundai’s newly developed Smartstream 1.6-litre diesel engine offers improved real-life fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions. The high efficiency of the engine is achieved due to a significant reduction in friction, a highly efficient turbocharger and a parallel intake port. Overall, the engine structure is optimised by implementing lightweight materials, resulting in a significant weight reduction and lower engine noise.
The new Smartstream engine is available with two power outputs. The standard version generates 115 PS / 85 kW, comes with a 6-speed manual transmission (6MT) and is equipped with front-wheel drive. The high-power version provides 136 PS / 100 kW and a powerful 320 Nm of torque in combination with the efficient 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (7DCT). For a dynamic ride on and off the road customers can equip the more powerful engine with four- or front-wheel drive.
The Kona offers two turbocharged, small-displacement petrol powertrains with high low-end torque. One of them, Hyundai’s 1.6-litre T-GDI petrol engine, is now available with front- or four-wheel drive and is paired with a 7DCT. The engine, which delivers 177 PS / 130 kW and 265 Nm torque, handles every environment with ease.
Alternatively, customers can choose the economical 1.0-litre T-GDI three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a 6 MT providing 120 PS / 88kW and 172 Nm.
The turbocharger of both petrol engines is equipped with an electronically-controlled waste-gate actuator which improves fuel efficiency by reducing pumping losses as well as improving throttle response and low-end torque. The unit features a six-hole GDI injector, pressured to a higher-than-average 200 bar, securing a clean combustion.
The development engineers have created a good balance between power and comfortable ride and handling qualities. Hyundai’s in-house developed 7DCT combines the benefits of manual and automatic transmissions. Furthermore, it improves fuel consumption and CO2 emissions up to 20 per cent compared to a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission. In combination with the 7DCT, the New Kona offers three drive modes: ECO, Normal and Sport. In sport mode there is a different shift pattern, with gears being held longer before shifting.
The Kona’s optional four-wheel drive offers customers a true SUV experience. It supports drivers in all kinds of driving situations with up to 50 per cent torque distributed to the rear wheels. The on-demand system increases traction on snow, gravel and of course on regular road surfaces while enhancing cornering performance. To enable an easy start from difficult surfaces, the differential can be manually locked for a torque distribution of 50 per cent up to a speed of 40 km/h.
The enhanced Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) delivers better responsiveness and comes with an increased gear ratio of 58 mm/rev, enabling quicker steering action by reducing steering wheels turns. Advanced Traction Cornering Control for four-wheel drive directs understeering and improves the vehicle’s agility and stability by controlling both traction and damping while accelerating in curved sections.
