Hyundai Kona SUV, the first electric SUV of India has been launched today. Only one variant is on offer, and it is priced at Rs 25.3 lakhs, ex-sh. It comes in as a CKD, to be assembled at the Hyundai plant in Chennai. Initially only 1,000 units of the Kona Electric have been allotted for India with more numbers to be offered according to demand. Hyundai India targets sales of 50 units of the Kona per month which will be sold via 15 select dealerships across 11 cities in India.
Hyundai Kona Electric SUV gets closed-off front grille, a charging port located in the front and new twin headlamp design with LED headlamps and LED DRLs. It also gets LED tail lamps, 17” alloy wheels and a 2,600mm long wheelbase allowing the battery pack to be safely positioned in the floorboard. For India, Hyundai has increased ground clearance of Kona, which is needed for tackling Indian road conditions.
The interiors of the Kona electric are noted in a similar design to its conventionally powered counterpart with a digital dashboard, Head-Up unit and 7” touchscreen infotainment system, sunroof. Front seats are ventilated, wireless phone charger, paddle shifter, smart key, push button start stop, power adjustable ORVMs, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, center armrest in the front and rear, USB charger, etc
In international markets the Hyundai Kona is offered in two trims of Electric and Electric Lite. The Kona Electric gets a 64 kWh lithium battery pack offering 201.2 bhp peak power and 395 Nm torque. This battery can be charged in 9 hours. Electric Lite gets a 39.3 kWh lithium battery offering 134.13 bhp power and 395 Nm torque. It is the latter variant of Kona, which is now on sale in India. This battery can be fully charged in 6 hours.
Hyundai Kona Electric comes with a 100 kW DC fast charger allowing upto 80 percent charge in a matter of 54 minutes. India gets the smaller 39.2 kWh version and regular power cables and is offered in three different modes of Eco / Eco+, Comfort and Sport. In the sport mode, it does a 0-100 kmph in 9.7 seconds. Drive range as per ARAI certificate for India is 452 kms. Kona with similar output, for the international market is certified to deliver about 315 kms range.
Where safety is concerned the Hyundai Kona electric gets 6 airbags, anti lock braking system, EBD, ESC, rear camera with guidelines, tyre pressure monitoring system, and all four disc brakes. Hyundai India is offering a 3 year / unlimited kms warranty on the Kona electric SUV. For battery, they are offering 8 years / 1.6 lakh kms warranty. Running cost claimed by Hyundai India is 80% less than the running cost of average petrol / diesel car in India.
Hyundai India is setting up charging stations in cities where the Kona is being launched. Hyundai also promises to provide on-site battery charging support, in case you get stranded on road with an empty battery. A portable vehicle equipped with battery charging system will come to you where you are stranded.
