WATCH: Hyundai reveals a little more of new Kona

Although we’re going to have to wait until June 13 for the proper launch of Hyundai’s new small crossover, the Kona, the South Korean automaker has released a few slightly more revealing images to tease us with ahead of the official reveal. The latest images show the new Hyundai in three-quarter views from the front and the back, and probably show a little more of the new design than we might expect at this point ahead of a formal launch.

The Kona will be the fourth SUV in Hyundai’s range and it’s going to go head-to-head with the likes of the Kia Soul, Nissan Juke and the Toyota C-HR. It looks from the images as though the Kona will follow in the footsteps of those illustrious rivals in being what’s often referred to as “funky” in terms of its design. However, the mean-looking split headlights of the Kona and its iteration of Hyundai’s corporate grille and upper scoop appear to deliver a look that’s considerably more serious and grown-up than the Juke, but also a little less futuristic and polarizing than the C-HR.

The new Kona. Image: Hyundai via AFP Relaxnews

There does appear to be the kind of contrasting roof that’s all the rage these days, while the somewhat aggressive front and sides resolve into something altogether more sober at the rear.

As well as the images, Hyundai has also released a teaser video to go with them, although the video probably doesn’t tell us as much about how the Kona looks as the still images do. What the video does proudly show off though is a heads-up display, which is a first for any Hyundai model. The system uses a pop-up panel onto which information is displayed, so it appears to be pretty much like similar systems found in some Mazda and Mini models. It may not be a particularly remarkable development, but a heads-up display being available is always to be welcomed, and the color projection in this case does look pretty attractive.

What we might not hear too much about at the official launch later this month is an all-electric version of the Kona SUV. However, a Hyundai official has already told reporters in South Korea that there is to be a new electric vehicle from Hyundai next year in 2018, and that it’s also going to be a small SUV. That suggests that it’s almost certain to be a Kona EV. JB

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