2021 Hyundai Kona N spied undisguised ahead of full debut
Hyundai's high-performance SUV has been caught undisguised, with its global, well-lit reveal likely around the corner.
This is it: meet the 2021 Hyundai Kona N, which has been spied undisguised ahead of its full detailed reveal.
The light-coloured Kona N pictured was captured by our spy photography partners during a video shoot near the Nurburgring, evidenced by the closed road guarded at 150-metre intervals by Hyundai officials, and the presence of a 'Russian arm' filming car.
The new images reaffirm the performance-focused look first showcased in shadowy official images earlier in March 2021, with race-inspired styling elements that turn the visual aggression up to 11.
Up front, the Kona N's bumper has been largely carried over from the lesser N Line, though it gains a deeper lower splitter with a red accent strip – a key design element shared across full-bore Hyundai N models – plus black honeycomb grille inserts and black Hyundai badging.
Along the side, 19-inch forged alloy wheels shared with the facelifted i30 N hot hatch fill the arches, connected visually by sporty side skirts with a red accent.
At the rear, large-diameter dual exhaust tips sit within a more aggressive lower diffuser, and are joined by Kona N badging, red accents and a large, two-tier roof spoiler.
The images don't provide a look at the Kona N's interior, however it's likely a pair of figure-hugging sports bucket seats will feature, along with blue and red accents, Alcantara and leather trim, a unique N-branded steering wheel and gear shifter, and N badging.
Under the bonnet, Hyundai has confirmed a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine will feature, with the spied car's 'HN 0280' licence plates lending credence to rumours the hot Kona will share the i30 N's 206kW (280 metric horsepower) and 392Nm engine tune.
CarAdvice understands the Kona N will be front-wheel-drive and eight-speed dual-clutch automatic-only, with all-wheel-drive and a manual transmission believed to be off the cards.
Launch control and a limited-slip front differential have been confirmed to lead a lengthy list of performance-focused features.
Stay tuned to CarAdvice for all the latest on the 2021 Hyundai Kona N, as its debut approaches in the coming weeks.
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