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Hyundai Kona N: GTI im Blut

Hyundai is expanding its sporty N family upwards. The latest corner robber of the bustling Koreans is the 280 hp Kona N. There is really only one thing missing to show off his thirst for action more effectively: an all-wheel drive.

The Kona N follows the broad tracks of the Hyundai i30, the N version of which even made the legendary VW Golf GTI sweat. Like the Hyundai i30 N, the sportiest of all Konas is powered by the well-known two-liter turbo with 206 kW / 280 PS and a maximum torque of 392 Nm from 2,100 tours. The engine output is driven via an eight-stage dual clutch transmission with a wet start-up clutch, however, not as one would expect to all four wheels, but only to the front axle. It’s a shame, because the Kona N is behind the European competition, because most models above the 200 hp mark are with a standard all-wheel drive for good reason and can thus be moved more confidently in any weather and any surface.

Despite the usual extras, the Hyundai Kona only looks like a real sports version at second glance, because one looks in vain with the Koreans exhibited cheeks or powerful spoiler decorations. Even in the N tracksuit, the Kona remains an unexcited compact class SUV. So sills, red decorative details and 19-inch models have to be designed to attract sporty customers. The easy-revving four-cylinder turbo lets the 4.22-meter-long compact SUV accelerate from a standstill to 100 km / h in 5.5 seconds. He pulls just as annoyingly on the front axle as when turning quickly or doing a dynamic intermediate sprint. The electronically controlled differential lock has no chance of replacing the additionally driven rear axle. After all, the turbo engine sounds very expectant thanks to the standard flap exhaust system.

In dynamic cornering, on the other hand, the N variant does surprisingly well once you get used to the twitching leather handlebars. The tendency to understeer, however, is low and the front axle grabs thanks to the differential lock; even if the lack of drive power at the rear whitewashes the good impression of the chassis, which is very tight depending on the driving program, while the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox tinkers casually in the background. The crisp crossover rolls on dark forged rims with 235/40 R 19 wheels as standard. The steering is precise and not too smooth, while the brakes provide good feedback on the condition of the road surface. The technicians have apparently put in a lot of work and attention to detail. The top speed is 240 km / h, while Hyundai calls for a standard consumption of 8.5 liters of super per 100 kilometers. How well would the Hyundai Kona N drive if it were driven on all four wheels like the VW T-Roc R, Mercedes AMG GLA 35, Audi S Q2 or BMW X2 M35i?

Inside, the Hyundai Kona N wears its sportswear almost more conspicuously than outside. There are well-contoured sports chairs, a leather steering wheel that sits comfortably in the hand and has two pithy N buttons that can be assigned functions such as driving modes as desired. In addition, a bright red boost button catches the eye, which, like Porsche, gives the Kona N real superpowers for 20 seconds in its 911. All muscles are tensed and the four-cylinder gets a short but strong vitamin boost, which is addictive, especially in sport mode. It does the sprint of 80 to 120 km / h in just 3.5 seconds. In the animated cockpit, the sports displays are in the right light while driving, while the head-up display projects the most important information into the driver’s field of vision on an unconvincing extendable plastic pane. More than old: the mechanically operated handbrake on the center tunnel.

The base price for the well-equipped Hyundai Kona N starts at 37,750 euros. The three optional extras available for the sliding glass roof (600 euros), the driver assistance package (520 euros) and the 1,700 euros comfort package, which among other things offers air-conditioned partial leather seats and seat heating in the rear, are always useful. What is urgently missing, on the other hand, is an electric tailgate, which has long been standard in this class.

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