Kona unveiled as Hyundai’s latest SUV

HYUNDAI has just unveiled the Kona, a subcompact SUV that will take the brand’s range of SUVs offered for sale in Europe to four.

The Kona will be the smallest member of a family that also includes the Grand Santa Fe, the Santa Fe and the Tucson.

The Kona borrows its name from one of the Hawaiian islands, its styling will be along the lines of the current i20 and i30 hatchbacks, and it will go head-to-head with rivals such as Nissan Juke, Vauxhall Mokka X and the imminent Seat Arona.

It won’t just be sharing design cues with the i30 either, as it’s also expected to use the same turbocharged 1.0-litre and 1.4litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel engines.

Spy shots of the car show slim LED headlights and Hyundai’s signature hexagonal grill.

It comes with roof rails, a semi-bubble roof and an upswept window line. Moreover, the rear appears to show a sloping windshield.

There’s more than just ambition behind that intention to be Europe’s leading Asian carmaker by 2021 though; there’s also a clearly defined plan.

Hyundai has stated it intends to build on its growing credibility by launching no fewer than 30 new models and derivatives between now and then.

Since the fi rst- generation Santa Fe went on sale in 2001, the company has notched up more than 1.4 million SUV sales.

Concrete details about pricing and specifications for the all-new Hyundai Kona have yet to be revealed, but expect to see the subcompact SUV make a public debut sometime in the summer with vehicles landing for sale in dealerships in October. — Relaxnews