HYBRID POWER POINTS TO ZERO EMISSIONS

With a dim start to electrification of the automobile Down Under, due considerably to the snail-pace roll-out of charging infrastructure to keep up, many car manufacturers have doubled down on petrol / electric hybrid models. Latest switch-on is Hyundai with its new Kona SUV range consisting initially of internal combustion engine vehicles and totally electric powered variants. The small sports utility hybrid vehicle makes use of a 1.6 litre petrol engine and 6 speed dual clutch transmission with a 1.32 kwh battery pack and electric motor, designed to deliver a… Read more

KONA N REFLECTS THE HYUNDAI FUTURE

There’s nothing new about ‘influencers’, that cohort of ‘pretty’ girls and boys who lead youngsters by their credit cards to so-called desirable dressing. For years automobile manufacturers have used ‘futurists’ to try to predict what the car buyer will want in four years’ time – the average development period for a new vehicle. With EVs and hybrids rapidly accelerating up the sales charts the new Hyundai Kona, including petrol powered-only models, has been designed to look like an electric vehicle – no radiator grille – the maker claiming this is… Read more

NEW SLEEK AND SPORTY SONATA NOW ON SALE

When the first Hyundai Sonata sedan arrived here in 1989 it was a conservatively-styled and affordable family-sized alternative to vehicles such as Toyota Camry, Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon and Mitsubishi Magna. All but the Camry soon to become casualties of the looming local factory closures. Now in its eighth generation the Sonata has progressively morphed from those relatively bland beginnings into a sleek and sporty four-door coupe. The latest upgrade to the Genn 8 Sonata has now arrived here and it takes the styling to the next level with looks… Read more

EV(LUTION) A MAGNET FOR FOSSIL-FED HYUNDAI KONA

In a display, which can only be described as a case of automotive smoke and mirrors, the new Hyundai Kona is designed to look like an electric vehicle – no radiator grille – whether an EV, hybrid or petrol powered. The maker Hyundai says this is to make the whole range of the small SUV, including petrol variants – EV and hybrids are due here by year’s end – blend in with traffic better in the future. The ‘petrols’ on offer at present are a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with a CVT… Read more

NEW HYUNDAI KONA IS BIGGER, BOLDER AND BETTER

The highly-anticipated second-generation version of the Hyundai Kona has now arrived in Australia with a larger and chunkier body adding extra cabin space, together with upgraded safety, security and convenience features. The addition of a hybrid variant gives MY2024 Kona the widest range of powertrains in its small SUV segment: 2.0-litre naturally naturally-aspirated or 1.6-litre turbo petrol engines, 1.6-litre petrol/ electric hybrid (HEV) and fully electric (EV) with standard or extended range. The petrol variants are available now with the hybrid and EVs to arrive later in the year. All… Read more