Hyundai reveals SUV-range Kona with future electrification plans

The new Kona has been launched by Hyundai, with the compact crossover set to be available as a pure-electric model in the near future.

The model is initially available with a choice of two petrol engines when it goes on sale later in the year, but will also see a diesel engine version arrive in 2018.

Provisionally, the EV version is due next year also.

Early reports quote an electric range in excess of 200 miles - between 210 and 240 miles is likely.

The Kona will share a platform with the recently announced Kia Stonic, and the manufacturing group has previously said that it plans to produce a large number of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and pure-electric models in the next few years.

Autocar reports that Hyundai’s vice-chairman Euisun Chung said at the Kona's launch in South Korea: "We will launch electric vehicle Kona EV model by next year. We will focus more on eco-friendly cars such as EV and hydrogen-electric cars."