The Nepali EV segment has seen the first entrant of 2019. Hyundai’s newest fully-electric subcompact SUV, the All-New Kona Electric, has entered the market with an outstanding range, appealing design, and advanced safety features. With the launch of the All-New Kona Electric, Hyundai Motor is offering the first fully-electric subcompact SUV in the Nepalese market at an introductory price of Rs 51,96,000 with 3 years vehicle warranty and 8 years battery warranty.

The All-New Kona Electric adopts the expressive-looking and powerful front from the regular Kona. The first fully-electric subcompact SUV features a unique exterior design with closed grille and a dedicated center console in the interior for intuitive operation of the shift-by-wire module.

The key design differentiator is the closed grille which gives a clean and stylish appearance, while also enhancing aerodynamics. Another characteristic element of the front design is the Composite Light enhancing the visual impact, with the LED Daytime Running Lights positioned on top of the LED headlights. The Kona Electric’s two-tone roof and the choice of four distinctive exterior colors underline the personal style of its driver. The subcompact SUV measures 4180mm in length, 1800mm in width, 1570mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2600mm. Boot space stands at 332 litres.

With a battery capacity of 39.2 kWh, the basic version drives approximately 312 kilometres on a single charge with the motor delivering 135 BHP of power and 395 NM of instant torque. Hyundai decided to use a lithium-ion polymer battery pack for the All-New Kona Electric instead of conventional nickel-metal hybrid batteries. This provides lower memory sensitivity and excellent charge and discharge efficiency, along with outstanding maximum output.

The shift-by-wire system enables operation of the car simply by pressing buttons to switch driving modes. It also eliminates the routing space required for housing the mechanical linkages between a normal shifter and the transmission, providing additional storage space in the front of the car. Similarly, the adjustable regenerative braking system allows the driver to adjust the intensity of the regenerative braking by using the paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. The system recuperates additional energy when possible. Keeping the left pedal held, the driver can even bring the vehicle to a full stop – without the use of the brakes.

Charging the lithium-ion polymer battery up to 80% only takes about 54 minutes using a 100 kW direct current (DC) fast charger. With the 7.2 kW on-board-charger, charging with alternating current (AC) takes 9 hours 35 minutes for the long-range battery pack. Drivers also have the option of charging their car at a compatible regular household power socket using the ICCB-cable (in-cable control box). The charging port is located in the vehicle’s front next to the Hyundai logo.

The All-New Kona Electric offers a wide range of connectivity features, such as the infotainment system which integrates navigation, media, and connectivity features, e.g. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Wireless Charging. The new eco-model in Hyundai’s line-up is equipped with the company’s latest active safety and driving assistance technologies, called SmartSense: Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Collision Warning including Rear Cross Traffic Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Intelligent Speed Limit Warning, and Lane Following Assist.

Drivers also benefit from the large 7-inch supervision cluster, which displays key information about the car’s driving performance and, in addition, the combiner head-up display shows relevant driving information directly to the driver’s line of sight.

The 2019 Hyundai Kona and Kona Electric CUV models were together named the winner of the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year by the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year automotive media jury. This is the first time that a Hyundai CUV model has won the Utility Vehicle of the Year category.

And now the All-New Hyundai Kona is finally here and we are simply electrified by it (pun intended). We will be taking the Kona out for a spin soon so we advise you to stay tuned to us.