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Say aloha to Hawaiian-inspired Hyundai Kona

Hyundai Kona just premiered and it already has a special edition under its nameplate.

Autodeal on Jun 19, 2017

After a series of multiple teaser videos, Hyundai's entry in the subcompact crossover segment, Kona, has finally made its global premiere. It will go along with the brand's SUV line up, made up of Tucson, Santa Fe, and Santa Fe Sport.

“We aim to set new standards for the compact SUV segment, with appealing design, cutting-edge connectivity and class leading safety features.”

Euisun Chung, vice chairman of Hyundai Motor Company

Instantly seen is the hip, modern, aggressive fascia of the vehicle. It has slim headlights, a cascading grille, and huge foglamps.

Hyundai says the Kona is integrated with 51.8% Advanced High Strength Steel body for increased occupant protection. Add that to the spacious interior layout, with lower floor and seating positions at the rear for good headroom and easy access to the backseat.

Power, you ask? The Kona will carry either a gasoline or a diesel engine. The 2.0L MPI Atkinson gasoline engine is said to produce 149 hp and 179 Nm of torque. It can make the car go 0 to 100 km/h in 10 seconds at a top speed of 194 km/h. This is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

On the other hand, the Gamma 1.6T-GDI gasoline engine boasts 177 hp and 265 Nm of torque. This engine launches the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, with a top speed of 210 km/h. It is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (7DCT). Meanwhile, a smaller 1.0T-GDI engine will be available in Europe, as well as a 1.6L diesel engine for select markets.

During its debut, Hyundai already introduced a special edition variant for the Hawaiian-inspired Kona and the automaker calls it the Iron Man. Yes, the Marvel comic book superhero Iron Man.

Come to think of it, what more is as interesting as pairing a car's exterior to a well-celebrated superhero's high-tech armor? The sharp headlight design is accompanied by features that are drawn out from Iron Man's suit, aligning the vehicle's profile with the advance technology capabilities of Marvel's 'Stark Industries.' The special edition Kona comes in a Matte Gray finish with Maroon accents in the roof, side skirts, and wheels. However, Hyundai has yet to release the official press photo of the Kona Iron Man edition.