After creating waves with the launch of its Venue compact SUV last month, Hyundai is now gearing up to introduce a more niche product in our market. As we had reported earlier, the Korean automaker will launch the Hyundai Kona EV in India on July 9, 2019. And in the run-up to the launch, important details of the e-SUV have been revealed.
It has been confirmed that although the Kona electric will not be locally produced, it will come to India via the CKD (completely-knocked-down) route, with a small level of local content. Avoiding bringing in the SUV as a pricey CBU (completely built unit) should help offset the high cost of electric components such as the battery packs and electric motors. With this strategy in mind, India’s No.2 car manufacturer is aiming for more than 500 units of annual sales of the Kona.
The Kona is touted to have a theoretical driving range of around 300km on a single charge, which will make it India’s first long-range EV. To further quench range anxiety issues, Hyundai will bundle a home charger with the EV and also install charging stations at its dealerships for customers.
In international markets, the SUV is available with a choice of two powertrains. The version with the 39kWh battery pack gets a 136hp, permanent magnet synchronous motor powering the front wheels. And, in all likelihood, this is the one that will make it to our shores. The other variant gets a larger, 64kWh battery and a more potent, 204hp motor.
Hyundai is expected to price the Kona electric SUV at about Rs 25 lakh (ex-showroom) in our market. Though lacking any direct rivals at the time of launch, it will find a worthy competitor in the MG eZS all-electric SUV which is scheduled to arrive at our shores in December 2019.
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