New Generation Kona EV

Hyundai released prices in U.K.
As far as price (a little expensive), For Canada I would think it would be somewhat below the iZEV cap of $70,000 for the top Ultimate (sunroof, ventilated seats, sub-woofer, surround view monitor) and N-Line, and probably less considering the competition is heating up (Volvo EX-30), also must keep a gap between Ionic5 series.
(V2L equipped with all trims)
I am impressed at the new specs:
DC charging - 103.2 kW:)
Increase in range from 490 km to 513 km (to be confirmed EPA)
Luggage capacity increase from 332 litres to 466 litres.
Hyundai KONA Electric | Specification | July 2023
Patiently waiting to see the Cdn release (including the maintenance schedule)
 
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It will be interesting to see if the new Kona continues the pattern of the current model generally showing better range in real-world use than the EPA estimate.
 
Couple of new tid-bits.... one good (maybe), the other not so much (to be confirmed when specs are released)
Not so good first:
check out the pack clearance starting @ 0.50 seconds of video
:eek:
and now the good (maybe), again depends on spec release for region (built in dash cam c/w audio) video starting @ 1.59
:)
If the pack is lower than the gen 1 version (consumption Kona as called in video), I think this might be a pass for me as much as I like all the other features, will have to wait for specs release.
 
New Munro video out of a Ioniq 5 battery teardown. Most relevant to the new Kona is that both have an external cooling panel and the team discuss how this works in detail. I expect the Kona's overall pack design will be much the same in other areas as well.

 
KiwiME said:
New Munro video out of a Ioniq 5 battery teardown. Most relevant to the new Kona is that both have an external cooling panel and the team discuss how this works in detail. I expect the Kona's overall pack design will be much the same in other areas as well.

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Awesome video, thanks for the link.:) (Please re-post in I6 and I5 forums)

My thoughts are positive as HMC appears to be moving away from the Low Conductivity coolant. I believe the original I5's have dual coolant (glycol based for electronics and LC type for the pack). Not specified in video coolant type.
The use of aluminum for bus bars is acceptable provided the termination method is reliable as mentioned in video. The termination points are always most important when using aluminum due to the expansion/contraction characteristics.
I also like the fusible links between modules to isolate if necessary.
Noticeable was the writing on one of the cells (Ionic 6 cell) which I believe to be LG composition, although I may be wrong, possibly have switched to CATL as is the new gen Kona EV. (don't think there would be much difference in the housing but again unsure).
I am also a fan of HMC spending a bit extra on the venting provided using that special gasket, eliminating extra costs of specified vent locations.
Really excited to see this kind of progress in pack design.
Now if HMC could swing over to NCAS (a really important feature for N.A as our CCS DC charging network leaves a lot of room for improvement), even with the reported rather dismal 100 kW charging speed, that might convince me to purchase a 24 Kona EV providing the purchase cost is under the $60,000 CDN price cap for the iZEV rebate for the Ultimate (top end) model.
 
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Don't you have (or will have) the 'magic dock' option in N.A. for EVs with CCS? If that doesn't eventuate I would assume that there will be adapters, even if technically they may not be entirely standards-compliant.
electriceddy said:
...The use of aluminum for bus bars ...
Really excited to see this kind of progress in pack design.
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Yes, I am too. The I5 has copper bus bars from what I gathered, aluminium with copper ends was used in some other EVs they mentioned.

I'm not clear on why blue coolant is still used in the I5 (in addition to pink). If it's not for the battery perhaps to reduce risk for other coolant-cooled items like the inverter and the various heat exchangers? I had thought that the Kia EV6 only uses pink coolant.
 
KiwiME said:
Don't you have (or will have) the 'magic dock' option in N.A. for EVs with CCS? If that doesn't eventuate I would assume that there will be adapters, even if technically they may not be entirely standards-compliant.

Yes, I am too. The I5 has copper bus bars from what I gathered, aluminium with copper ends was used in some other EVs they mentioned.

I'm not clear on why blue coolant is still used in the I5 (in addition to pink). If it's not for the battery perhaps to reduce risk for other coolant-cooled items like the inverter and the various heat exchangers? I had thought that the Kia EV6 only uses pink coolant.
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There is at least one Kona EV documented magic dock success on this forum, however I don't see Tesla expanding on that (on their penny), as it was more or less a trial pre NCAS opening to all EVs. There are not many around (just in the States) and few and far between.
NCAS is to be the accepted standard, all manufactures including HMC must comply or risk losing credibility (and sales). Superchargers are so far ahead in well located areas there really is little competition except in less travelled areas.
 
electriceddy said:
Now if HMC could swing over to NCAS (a really important feature for N.A as our CCS DC charging network leaves a lot of room for improvement), even with the reported rather dismal 100 kW charging speed, that might convince me to purchase a 24 Kona EV providing the purchase cost is under the $60,000 CDN price cap for the iZEV rebate for the Ultimate (top end) model.
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Will be interesting to see the price of the 2024 Kona. Will have to be a lot less if they are to compete with the Tesla price reductions (and more just announced yesterday) and the new EX30 coming.
 
KiwiME said:
New Munro video out of a Ioniq 5 battery teardown. Most relevant to the new Kona is that both have an external cooling panel and the team discuss how this works in detail. I expect the Kona's overall pack design will be much the same in other areas as well.

Click to expand...

May have to watch this vid, although am not a fan of Munro after seeing a couple of previous very shallow reviews of some non Teslas. He needs to take off those Tesla glasses.
 
Production begins in the Czech plant for European market (including 42 countries) utilizing LG battery cells manufactured in Wroclaw, Poland.

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2024-hyundai-kona-electric-production-in-czechia.jpg

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I kind of suspect the units destined for N.A. probably won't start production in Ulsan S.K. c/w the CATL battery until the new year:(
It will however enable some time for reviews from those lucky European owners, which is not a bad thing.
 
I was told by my dealer that the 2024 Kona's will be in Canada Next year around January or February, Other wise May or June...lol. Only two models I was told not the N model. Plus ore money as well.
 
A pre-production model was at Vancouver's EV show last weekend. It was locked and the exhibit staff would not open it, so I could onlly look at the exterior and through the side windows. I like the looks inside and out but the trunk is still too small. It was noteworthy to me how most similar vehicles at the show have compromised trunk space in the name of styling by exaggerated rear tumblehome (the angle at which the tailgate glass slopes up to the roof).
 
Hyundai's NA release info
Also, EV Specifications release info which came out pretty much the same time.
Of note, confirmation of 100kW DC charging c/w pre-conditioning, also confirmation of water based cooling system.
Clearence is also 6.9 inches- a previous video had me a little worried.
Now the wait for price confirmation.

aamyotte said:
I've seen that the longer length was all given to the occupant area which doesn't help the storage capacity.
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in the EV specifications page, 2024 trunk volume = 25.5 cubic feet - compare to 2023 = 19.2 cubic feet, overall the Maximum trunk volume (with rear seats down) 2024 = 63.67 cubic feet, 2023 = 45.8 cubic feet, so an increase there as well.
there is a frunk now as well, .95 cubic feet, but I am not sure that would fit with HP equipped vehicles, maybe.
2024-hyundai-kona-electric35.jpg
 
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Still not sure about that new front end. I think I liked the old one better. And really too bad they didn't go with 800V faster charging, even with the smaller battery than the I5/I6. Would have been very compelling then, even if it cost a bit more.
 
It would be smart if the front storage was big enough to accommodate a washer fluid jug. In northern Ontario I can go through it quite fast in the winter and having the jug stored next to the fill location would be perfect.

I know the Ioniq 5 'pizza box holder' is too small for a washer fluid jug. Auto buyers guide did a recent review of the new Kona and said the storage was bigger than the Ioniq 5. He also said the increased length was split between the rear seats and the trunk which corresponds with the specs electriceddy just posted.
 
R P said:
Still not sure about that new front end. I think I liked the old one better. And really too bad they didn't go with 800V faster charging, even with the smaller battery than the I5/I6. Would have been very compelling then, even if it cost a bit more.
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The front end - agreed... too many Plastic pixels, and that DRL light band up close looks like a "Tape light" like you see at the hardware box stores (JMHO)
2024-hyundai-kona-electric51.jpg

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Probably stick with the updated 2024 ID4 as a replacement, unless the price is beyond reasonable - the model I want Pro-S might also not qualify for iZEV, have to wait and see.
 
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I have no desire to replace my 2020 Kona anytime soon, so this won't be relevant to me for at least 2-3 years, maybe longer, as I really like my car. But the updated Kona is likely out of consideration as my next vehicle, as I really don't like the increased size. I love the smallness of my current car -- making it so agile and easy to park -- and rarely have back seat passengers or piles of cargo, so the increased room is meaningless to me. By the time I'm in the market, I hope someone is making a nice and truly small EV. Perhaps the next-generation Bolt will fill the bill.
 
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