Hyundai Kona Electric SUV Spotted Testing — India-Launch To Happen Next Year

The images shared by Hyundai Fan Club on Instagram shows the five-seater amidst the traffic in New Delhi. As per reports, the Hyundai Kona is expected to be launched in India by mid-2019. For the same reason, one can be sure that this spotting is part of the tests done for homologating the product.

The Hyundai Kona is already available in global markets and comes in two battery formats: 39kW and 64kW; among which the former is expected to make its way to India. With a claimed range of 312 kilometres on a single charge, the 39kW Hyundai Kona is a fitting option for the Indian market (if there is enough availability of charging points).

The base variant Hyundai Kona's electric motor makes 134bhp and 395Nm of torque, while also having a limited top speed of 155km/h. Meanwhile, the higher 64kW variant can go 482 kilometres on a single charge and is capable of putting out 204bhp.

Both battery packs can be charged up to 80 per cent capacity in around 50 minutes using a 100kW DC fast charger. With a standard AC charger, charging times can go over six hours. The fast charger will be available as an optional extra and we expect Hyundai to set up a dedicated charging station network in major cities too.

The Hyundai Kona spotted in India looks identical to the international variant from all angles and gets the same 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels. The design philosophy is in line with all the latest Hyundai models and the grille-less front profile might be the only unique factor (of course, the absence of an exhaust pipe too).

Inside, the Hyundai Kona gets a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, fully-digital instrument console, electrically-adjustable seats and a host of other features. Safety aids such as multiple airbags, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and lane assist will also be part of the package.

Thoughts On The India-Bound Hyundai Kona

Sources suggest that the Hyundai Kona will be a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) unitbut locally-assembled, and might cost upwards of Rs 25 lakh ex-showroom. Hyundai might even introduce it in limited numbers and bring more batches after observing the market response. How well the ‘clean' Hyundai Kona would perform on a price and mileage-conscious market is something we would have to wait and see. The absence of a proper rival is also an added advantage.