HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC UPGRADES

Hyundai Kona Electric has received a facelifted exterior and specification upgrades. Most importantly it now has a WLTP measured driving range of 484km, it was previously 449km.

The front has a new look closed grille and new LED Daytime Running Lights. The headlamps stretch part way around the side of the car. Vertical air inlets in front of the wheel arch claddings enhance its aerodynamics by
The rear has a new bumper design and horizontally-stretched rear lamps. There are machined face 17-inch alloy wheels complete the exterior makeover.

The Harman Kardon premium audio system has eight speakers (including a front centre speaker and a woofer) and an external amplifier, the Harman Kardon premium audio system on the Kona Electric offers exceptional sound quality through optimised system tuning.

Now standard across the range for Kona Electric, the wireless charging pad allows compatible Qi-standard devices to be charged in a dedicated recess in the front centre console, improving convenience for front seat occupants.

The Highlander variants have heated rear outboard seats to ensure the rear outboard seating surfaces are warmed in cool weather.

The 2021 Kona Electric also incorporates several feature upgrades to the standard SmartSense safety suite.

Supplementing the Lane Keeping Assist system, Lane Following Assist uses the front windscreen mounted camera to detects lane markers and preceding traffic on the road. It provides steering assistance to ensure the vehicle stays in the centre of the lane.

At speeds of 20km/h or above, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist uses radar sensors on either side of the rear bumper to detect vehicles next to and diagonally behind the Kona Electric. If a vehicle is present in the Kona Electric’s blind spot, a visual alert is displayed in the exterior mirrors. If the driver activates the corresponding indicator lights, a flashing visual warning is provided and an audible alert is sounded.

The system also scans for vehicles approaching rapidly from the rear, and uses the same warning measures to alert the driver of vehicles which may be entering the Kona Electric’s blind.

At speeds of 60km/h or above, if the driver proceeds to carry-out a lane change after the audible alert is sounded, BCA will apply partial braking with the system applying braking force to the wheels on the opposing side of the potential collision point. This hopefully brings the vehicle away from danger.

BCA can also help prevent collisions when exiting a parallel parking spot at 3km/h or lower. If a potential collision with an approaching vehicle is detected, the system will apply braking force to help avoid a collision.

Using the BCA system’s radar sensors, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist monitors for traffic approaching on either side of the Kona Electric when reversing out of perpendicular parking spaces at speeds of up to 8km/h. Should RCCA detect a vehicle approaching, an audible warning will sound, with a visual warning displayed on the dash cluster. If the driver does not adhere to the warning, RCCA will apply a braking force and help avoid a collision.

The Safe Exit Warning helps occupants exit the Kona Electric in a safer fashion. When the vehicle is stopped and SEW is active, the system utilises the radar sensors on either side of the rear bumper to detect vehicles approaching from the rear. If a vehicle is detected and a door is opened, the system will sound an audible alert and display a visual warning in the instrument cluster.

Rear Occupant Alert detects the entry of occupants via the rear doors opening and closing. Upon parking and opening the driver’s door, the system gives an audible chime and gives a visual warning message to “check rear seats”, to ensure that rear occupants are not accidentally left behind.

MODELS AND PRICES
Kona EV Elite: $60,740
Kona EV Highlander: $65,290
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Hyundai dealer for drive-away prices.

About Alistair Kennedy

Alistair Kennedy is Automotive News Service and Marque Publishing's business manager and the company's jack-of-all-trades. An accountant by profession, he designs the Marque range of motoring book titles, operates the company's motoring bookshop on the NSW Central Coast and the associated web site, as well as its huge digital and hard copy database. Whenever we can escape from the office he does so to cover new vehicle releases and contributes news stories. Alistair's other interests include cricket and family history on which he has written three books.
Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *