We've known that Hyundai was preparing a Kona N for almost a year,but the Korean firm has now confirmed that its newcomer will debut soon, replete with design cues from the facelifted model. What's more, it will be mechanically similar to the 206-kW i30 N hot hatch(with thedual-clutch auto transmission).

*Update March 2021* Hyundai released some teaser images of its new Kona N and while they're tagged as teasers, they don't hide much.

Hyundai has announced that the "the newest member of its N (family) will be the hotly anticipated KonaN –the first SUV in the (N Division's) high-performance line-up". We can't say we're surprised…In April 2020, our spy photographers snapped a pre-production version of the flagship of Hyundai's European-flavoured compact family car being put through its paces around the Nurburgring. Nonetheless, the N Division's decision to go ahead and builda performance-oriented small crossover is quite audaciousfor the (traditionally risk-averse)Korean marque.

Audi's Quattro division and Mercedes-AMG havedipped their proverbial toes in the water with the Q3 RS and GLA45 4Matic and Volkswagen offers the T-RocR, which is a direct rival to the upcoming Kona N, although it won't be offered in South Africa… It's a tiny niche ofthe market, even tinier than the subsegment for rapid compact hatchbacks such as the VW Polo GTIand Toyota GR Yaris.

Last year's spy photo of the Kona N. Image watermarked at the request of the photographer S. Baldauf/SB-Medien.

Having said that, it's a no-brainer to bring the Kona N to fruition, because the Korean brand's compact family car, which was eventually launched in South Africa inlate 2018, is based on the i30's underpinnings and is likely to share myriadcomponents with the revised i30 N –equipped with an 8-speed automatictransmission, which is set to be introduced locallyduring the 1st half of 2021.

So far, Hyundai has revealed precious few details about the "all-new Kona N",apart from confirmingthat it will be powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol mated with an 8-speedwet dual-clutch transmission (N DCT)and that itwill offer, inter alia, "a variety of high-performance driving features, such as launch control and an exciting sound experience."

Here's a clue tothe Kona N's final look. There's a lot more in the way of air inlets in the facelifted N Line version's frontal aspect.

That leads us to believe the Kona N could produce up to206 kW and 392 Nm (the latter from1 950 to 4 600 rpm), but Hyundai might be reluctant to make its newcomer match the performance figures of the facelifted i30 N for fear of cannibalising sales of the latter, especiallyin Europe, where compact family cars rule the roost. We anticipatethe 2.0-litre mill might be slightly detuned in the Kona N.

Still, other accoutrements from the i30 Nthat could feature on the Kona Nincludeanelectronically controlled suspension and limited-slip differential (eLSD), arear stiffness bar and uprated N braking system (of which the discs have been increased to 360 mm), abespoke drive-mode system (which Hyundai calls "N Grin Control"), including the N Grin,N Power and N Track Sense shift modes.

The N Line features a sportydiffuser and side-mounted tailpipes, but the Kona N will have a pair of large-bore exhaust ends.

As to which design cuesmight lurkunder the camouflage of the car in the teaser images, we'd suggest the facelifted Kona, which is 40 mm longer than its predecessor (the car that's currently offered in Mzansi) and features a longer bonnet, a refreshed grille design andwidenedLED daytime running lights, provides a good indication, although the bumpers, especially, of theKona N will be exclusive to the model. TheN-Line (for example, although it's unlikely to come to SA) eschews black cladding in favour of a sportybody kit and features atrio ofmesh-coveredmini air intakesabove the front grille.

Inside, the Kona N's front sports seats are likely to be trimmed in black artificial suede and leather with Performance Blue contrast stitching and the instrument cluster may includean active variable LED red zone and shift indicator.Apart from sporty, metallic-finishedpedals, the seatbelts will probably feature Performance Blue accents – as they do in the i30 N.

Thisfacelifted Konafeatures adigital instrument cluster and upgraded infotainment system. The N modelshould have sportier detailing.

With the recent facelift, the Kona has gained an electronic handbrake, ambient LED lighting (for the centre cup holder as well as the driver and front passenger'sfootwells), updatedspeaker- and vent surrounds, aswell an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system withwireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play.The10.20-inch digital instrument cluster and -touchscreen units might feature too.

“As the N brand’s first ‘hot SUV’, the KonaN will offer plenty of versatility and driving thrills that N-thusiasts (sic) have come to expect from the brand. You can take this vehicle anywhere –from road to the track,” said Till Wartenberg, Vice President and Head of N Brand Management and Motorsport Subdivision at Hyundai Motor Company.

What's interesting about Wartenberg's statement is that it suggests the Kona N will be "the first" of a numberof performance-oriented SUVs to come from the brand, which lends credence to the rumour that an N model based on theall-new Tucsonis in the works. As for the possibilityof the Kona N being made available in South Africa, well, it's not great…

The Kona is the least popular model in Hyundai Automotive SA's compact family car line-up (which includes the Venue and new Creta); although the facelifted Kona is likely to arrive at some point in 2021, the N model is an ultra-niche offering and even if the Korean brand's local distributor could make a case for launching it here, it would be positioned at a disadvantageousprice point.

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Updated Hyundai i30 N confirmed for SA

Full reveal: All-new Hyundai Tucson

Next Hyundai Tucson 'will spawn 254-kW N model'