2017 Hyundai Kona compact SUV teased
The Kona derives its name from a Hawaiian destination, with the Korean brand's small SUV going on sale later this year.
Hyundai will join the increasingly popular compact SUV segment during the third quarter of this year, with its newest model, which has been dubbed Kona.
Slated to take on the likes of the Mazda CX-3, Mitsubishi ASX and Honda HR-V, the Korean carmaker is keeping details on its own competitor relatively scarce for the moment.
However, a single teaser image has been released showing a slimline headlight design that differs greatly from any other offering in Hyundai's existing model line-up.
the latest addition to the brand's stable will borrow some of its underpinnings from the current Elantra and next-generation i30 small cars.
The headlight cluster is segmented into five angular sections from which light is emitted, and is surrounded by what appears to be an integrated side indicator.
A heavily creased bonnet can also be seen, as well as a large fog light opening and a two-tier design for the Kona's front-end grille.
Taking its name from the beloved Kona region in Hawaii, the manufacturer says that, "the island's energetic image is reflected in the innovative, practical and highly functional design of Hyundai's new lifestyle-focused SUV."
According to Hyundai Australia PR boss Bill Thomas, the latest addition to the brand's stable will borrow some of its underpinnings from the current Elantra and next-generation i30 small cars.
"It is related, so AD Elantra and PD i30 do have very similar platforms, and we understand that Kona will share a lot of common componentry from that platform," he said.
"However, the way that the company works is that it will take what it thinks is ideal componentry for that particular application and either introduce that or perhaps modify things to suit.
"I guess the key thing is, you can expect the car to share that kind of dimension."
The small SUV will be shown in production trim at its public reveal later in the year.
If this proves to be the case, then the Kona will will be larger than the segment-leading CX-3 – which is 4275mm long and 1765mm wide, with a 2570mm wheelbase – meaning it will be closer in size to the HR-V, ASX, Nissan Qashqai and the just-released Toyota C-HR.
There are likely to be plenty of powertrain options for Hyundai to choose from thanks to the upcoming i30, which will be offered with a 150kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, or a 120kW/203Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-potter.
Meanwhile, diesels in the i30 range will be taken care of by a turbo-diesel four that produces 100kW and 280Nm for manual versions, or up to 300Nm of torque when paired with a dual-clutch automatic.
Mr Thomas also added that there will be no Kona concept as the small SUV will be shown in production trim at its public reveal later in the year.
Pricing and local specification will likely be confirmed closer to the Kona's on-sale date in Australia.
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