Kona and Santa Fe lead Hyundai future
MAGNA Motors Dealership Limited, the exclusive distributor of Hyundai vehicles in Jamaica, unveiled the next step in their model line-up — the all-new Santa Fe and Kona Hybrid SUVS — on Tuesday, April 16 at its Oxford Road showroom.
The Kona is new from the ground up, larger in every dimension to provide even more interior volume for passenger comfort and cargo carrying capacity. There is an all-new visual language with a few cues to the previous model.
Most dramatic is the seamless horizon lamp that functions as the Daytime Running Light across the vehicle’s nose. Body lines are sharper, but retains the unique C-pillar, dynamic roofline, and headlight positioning from Kona’s past. Rugged elements like wheel arch cladding, and front and rear skid plates keep the Kona’s Suv-like image. Inside the futuristic design continues with what Hyundai terms an open layout hightech driving space.
Powering the Kona Hybrid is a high-efficiency, high-output hybrid powertrain consisting of a 1.6-litre four-cylinder with a 32kwh permanent magnet electric motor powered by a 1.32kwh lithium-ion battery, all joined to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission that drives the front wheels. The total power output is 141bhp.
Even more dramatic is the Santa Fe with all-new sheet metal, sharing nothing from the outgoing model. In Hyundai’s own words, the Santa Fe artfully blends rugged design aesthetics with futuristic nuances for
an imposing presence. The boxy upright shape runs counter to the smoother lines of the previous generation Santa Fe, but it does make an impression, especially with the digital low-resolution inspired lighting signature, front and rear. The interior is just as bold, boasting plenty of high-tech refinement to offer all seven occupants a distinct experience.
What is also gone is the old 2.2-litre turbodiesel motor, replaced by an all-new more powerful 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The Santa Fe now has 281bhp. What does remain is the HTRAC all-wheel drive system, for maximum traction on and off the road.