Hyundai is busy baking the Kona N — a hot version based on the refreshed Kona lineup. For the uninitiated, the Kona N is not gonna be just a poser like the Kona N Line we saw last year, it’ll actually be a performance SUV with some respectable output figures.
Speaking of which, it’ll be powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that pumps out 206 kW (280 metric hp/276 bhp), which is a pretty good number for a Kona. The engine will be paired with an in-house-developed, 8-speed, dual-clutch transmission (wet-type).
As opposed to a dry-type gearbox, the wet-type DCT uses two electric oil pumps to reduce friction between the moving parts and for better cooling of the clutch, thus allowing greater torque transfer through the gearbox. The pumps ensure that the wet DCT can function with minimum engine power loss, thus resulting in better fuel economy, Hyundai said.
The coolant oil consistently keeps the clutch at the optimum operating temperature, reducing the risk of overheating during high-performance driving when the car is being pushed to its limits.
N DCT features
The ‘N DCT’ as Hyundai likes to call it, will offer three features: N Grin Shift, N Power Shift and N Track Sense Shift.
N Power Shift (NPS) engages when the car accelerates with more than 90% throttle, mitigating any reduction in torque during upshifts to deliver maximum power. This enhances fun-to-drive character by giving a “push feel” when upshifting. There’ll be some exhaust crackles too.
N Grin Shift (NGS) maximizes engine and DCT performance for 20 seconds. For maximum acceleration, the car will directly shift down to the most appropriate gear. To activate, the driver pushes a dedicated button on the steering wheel, and a countdown begins on the cluster showing the remaining seconds. After the “boost” has ended, drivers must wait at least 40 seconds to use it again.
This feature allows the driver to use the full potential of the car with only one button – for example, when chasing the best lap time on a track day. It can also be a benefit when overtaking or merging on a highway.
Finally, the N Track Sense Shift (NTS), as the name suggests, is calibrated for track use, and apparently helps the driver to focus more on the steering.
Based on motorsport data combined with the driver’s behavior, the car selects the right gear and shift timing in sport driving conditions to provide optimal performance.
The above three features are in addition to five different driving modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, N and Custom. Also, unlike in a traditional automatic transmission vehicle, the creep function in the Kona N can be turned off, which according to Hyundai, is a useful racetrack feature.
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