But has the budget battery option now been discontinued?

REGRESSION to just one battery and a slight increase in range, fancier driver assist technology, bolder styling - the big eyecatcher being an extravagant thin strip of LED lights around the edge of the bonnet - and a completely new cabin design will arrive with the next generation of Hyundai’s Kona in its full electric format.

Having earlier year divulged powertrain changes for the fully petrol and hybrid types, Hyundai South Korea has completed its unveiling of the new line by delivering the low-down on the battery model that could be most important to Kiwis, given the significant increase in EV uptake.

The big story for the electric is that the choice of two battery sizes – a 39.2kWh unit in a base edition and a 64kWh type for the mid-spec and high-end Elite – appears over.

Now there’s just a single battery, still a lithium ion polymer type, but rated at 65.4kWh. Maximum range is improved to 490 kilometres, a delivers WLTP-estimated distance based on European specifications, which Hyundai says in class-leading.

The current cars respectively offer 305km and 484km range.

The impact of a single battery on price has yet to be shared by Hyundai New Zealand, but at present the 39.2kWh car sits at $77,990 in an Elite trim, while a base 64kWh model places at $79,990. That allows eligibility for the full $8625 Clean Car rebate. There is also an Elite, with the 64kWh unit, for $89,990.

In January Hyundai revealed that the full petrol Kona models will have a 146kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo and a 110kW/180Nm Atkinson cycle 2.0-litre, both paired with a continually variable transmission. The hybrid electric has 1.6-litre direct injection petrol engine paired with an electric motor, making 104kW and 265Nm.

Also announced for the EV during the world premiere run from Seoul as a digital on-line affair are an ability to take over-the-air (OTA) software updates. It also provisions Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and can, in South Korea at least, be configured to allow locking and start-up via a smart phone or watch.The Kona Electric steers clear of the 800 volt charging system used by Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, instead having a 400v which allows charging from 10-80 percent capacity in around 40 minutes.

Hyundai reiterated today that it developed this Kona as an EV first, in line with an accelerated electrification strategy announcement made this time last year that will bring 11 new Hyundai EVs to market by 2030.

“Kona Electric will play a major role alongside our Ioniq models in reinforcing Hyundai’s EV leadership,” said Hyundai Motor Company’s president and chief executive, Jaehoon Chang.

“At Hyundai, we don’t see the EV revolution as just the latest trend. We believe it is a pivot point for not only the industry but also for society. Through the implementation of eco-friendly mobility solutions like our EVs, we hope to speed the transition to clean mobility and make progress for humanity.”

Among other upgrades announced today are dual 12.3-inch panoramic display screens, a digital key 2 touch, full Over-the-Air (OTA) updates and a Connected Car Navigation Cockpit.

The car has Hyundai’s SmartSense advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) and safety systems, including Level 2 autonomous driving, forward collision avoidance assist (FCA), blind-spot view monitor (BVM), remote smart parking assist (RSPA) and driver status monitor (DSM).

Compared to the previous generation Kona, the new model has unique proportions with increased dimensions. Based on the EV variant, its length is now 4355mm, making it 175mm longer than the outgoing generation. The wheelbase of 2660mm is 60mm longer. Width of 1825mm and height of 1575mm are respectively up by 25mm and 20mm.

Hyundai says in braking away from the conventional ICE-to-EV development process and followed an EV-to-ICE process has allowed the car to adopt a “futuristic EV-centric exterior that accentuates the SUV’s pure volume to make a rugged and dynamic impression.”

The shape has a drag co-efficient of 0.27 and the EV has a bespoke light design, called pixelated seamless horizon lamp. This and pixel graphics add a unique flourish. The EV also delivers in more vivid exterior colours “taking inspiration from the diverse lifestyles of the model’s broad spectrum of customers.”

The EV also now delivers in an N Line version which boasts black mirrors, wing-type spoiler and optional black roof, wing-shaped bumpers and a silver side skirt.

Hyundai says this Kona has a roomier cabin than the current car. The driver-centric front row is accentuated by a floating horizontal C-Pad with integrated dual 12.3-inch panoramic display screens and the shift-by-wire gear selector has been relocated from the centre console to behind the steering wheel, as per Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, which allows more storage in the open console area.

The fully foldable second-row seat and rear compartment provide up to 466 litres’ capacity (based on VDA standard) of cargo space.

Battery preconditioning ensures secure charging and range performance in winter and, though it’s unlikely to be relevant to Kiwis, a frozen charge door prevention system enables the user to open the charge door in a minus 30-degree environment. A new charging port door lamp ensures visibility at night. The electric motor also generates a more appealing low-speed pedestrian warning tone than the current car.

The make says the V2L function can power any device or charge electrical equipment, with both interior and exterior outlets for convenience. Inside, devices can be plugged into a standard outlet on the rear centre console when the EV is powered on. Outside, devices and home appliances can be plugged in using a V2L adapter.

The new i-PEDAL enables a driving mode that allows drivers to accelerate, decelerate and stop using only the accelerator pedal. The Smart Regenerative System automatically adjusts the amount of regenerative braking based on information from forward traffic flow.