The Week India – July 21, 2019

70 THE WEEK • JULY 21, 2019

GREEN DRIVE

@LEISURE

he Kona, Hyundai’s first

electric vehicle in India, got

its name from the scenic

west coast region of the Big

Island in Hawaii. It is neither a devas-

tatingly handsome SUV nor one with

radical looks, but there will be plenty of

takers for its play-safe design and the

wide stance. The Kona is more plastic

than chrome, and that is the first thing

you notice about it.

Hyundai has been quick to bring the

global product to India after its launch

at the Geneva Motor Show last year,

thanks to the government’s EV push.

Tata and Mahindra have already been in

the four-wheeler mass-market EV space

for a while, and other entrants are now

upping their game.

The first thing that the Kona gives you

is peace of mind—you do not have to

worry about the range or charging infra-

structure. With 452km a charge (ARAI

figures), it is miles ahead of the com-

petition. Also, you get not just the DC

quick charger that uses the CCS Type II

charging port (charges the battery to 80

per cent in 57 minutes) but also a 7.2

kW Level-II charger (takes six hours and

10 minutes to charge the battery).

Hyundai says that its technicians

will help set up the charging infrastruc-

ture at homes. It is also working with

Indian Oil in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru

and Chennai to install chargers at IOC

T

BY RACHNA TYAGI

SOUND OF SILENCE

Hyundai’s first

electric vehicle offers

an impressive range

and plenty of features

outlets. It also plans to have a fleet of

service vehicles that will have power

converters onboard to help customers

during emergencies.

The Kona does not compromise on

the driving experience at all; well, at

least not until you hit 150kmph! Unlike

the internal combustion engines, the

power build up does not happen grad-

ually. You have all the power you need

right from the word go. And it tackles

corners beautifully.

This is one helluva silent SUV! No

motor sound at all. Also, the clean

interiors (no gear lever!) is a beautiful

change. Maybe other carmakers could

get inspired by the design cue.

One thing that Hyundai needs to

work on is the leg room. It does feel

crammed, especially at the rear. How-

ever, with 17-inch alloys, sporty roof

rails, leather seats, a digital instrument

cluster that is going to take a while

to get used to, a 17.7cm touchscreen

display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a

smart electric sunroof, six airbags, all

disc brakes and four driving modes, the

Kona sure has a lot going for it. Price:

0 25.3 lakh (ex showroom, Delhi)