The Hyundai Kona Electric - the first full-electric compact SUV to hit the local market - will arrive in showrooms with a starting price of $73,990.
Hyundai New Zealand are launching with two versions, an entry level Kona Electric for $73,990 and top spec for $79,990.
Both Kona Electric models are fitted with a 64kWh lithium-ion polymer battery that Hyundai New Zealand say provides a ‘real world’ range of 400km, but the same model has been rated with a range of up to 470km in other markets.
Read more: Watch: Hyundai Kona Electric EV debuts in NZ
Hyundai New Zealand General Manager Andy Sinclair says the new Kona Electric blends groundbreaking electric vehicle technology with New Zealand’s favourite body style, the SUV.
"We are excited to launch a true zero-emission electric driving option which doesn’t compromise on the design, style and space that sets Kona apart from the crowd,” said Sinclair.
"In the short term, New Zealand will only take the extended range 64kwh version of Kona Electric with a realistic ‘real world’ driving range of over 400 km on a single charge."
“The driving range of over 400km is really significant when considering a typical outdoors kiwi lifestyle. We wanted to ensure that an owner in Auckland can head off for a weekend in the Coromandel and drive back to Auckland – all on a single charge.”
The Kona Electric's electric motor delivers 150kW of power and 395Nm of toque to the front wheels, capable of accelerating from a standstill to 100km/h in 7.6 seconds.
The battery can be recharged up to 80 per cent in 54 minute using a 100kW fast charger, while a full charge will take up to 10 hours on a standard AC charge.
Kona Electric features the Hyundai’s SmartSense safety package including the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist and Intelligent Speed Limit Warning, which displays the speed limit in the info screen cluster.
Look out for Driven next Wednesday for our first road test of the Kona Electric