Hero-themed Hyundai Kona suits up
BY SPENCER LEECH | 28th Feb 2019
HYUNDAI Motor Company Australia (HMCA) will import a themed Kona variant, with design elements and equipment nodding to Marvel Comics’ Iron Man franchise.
Suitably named Iron Man Edition, Hyundai will offer just 400 units to Australian customers, priced at $39,990 plus on-road costs.
That puts the special edition atop the Kona range, with the full-time line-up priced from $23,500 for the base Go, up to $39,000 for the top-dog Highlander.
The Iron Man Edition uses Hyundai’s flagship 130kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an all-paw driveline.
Distinguishing it from the regular Kona, the themed small SUV features a bespoke matte grey paint with ‘Iron Man red’ touches, unique 18-inch alloy wheels, ‘Iron Man’ emblems on the front guards and projected through the puddle lamps, and a redesigned bonnet with a Marvel logo.
The superhero theme continues in the cabin, with red stitching on the shift lever and leather seats, with ‘STARK Industries’ and Iron Man masks stitched onto the backrests.
A special welcome animation appears on the instrument cluster and head-up display, and the 8.0-inch touchscreen display loads an Arc Reactor-themed graphical user interface.
Hyundai Motor Company Australia chief executive officer JW Lee suggested that the Kona has always featured unique and “expressive” styling.
“The Kona range has always had a strong identity with its expressive styling and choice of vibrant exterior colours, but the Kona Iron Man Edition takes this a step further with its audacious Iron Man inspired looks and tech equipment.”
“With only 400 cars coming to Australia, the Kona Iron Man Edition will be a unique ownership experience, combining the Kona’s style, technology and performance with a slice of superhero fun!”
Standard kit includes rear park assist, tyre pressure monitoring, LED head-lights with dusk sensing and static bending, a power driver’s seat, a smart key with Iron Man mask detail, climate control with automatic defog, sat-nav, DAB+ radio, Apply CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, a Krell eight-speaker audio system, roof rails and a 4.2-inch TFT cluster.
Safety equipment includes radar and camera-based autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot warning, driver attention warning, automatic high beams, lane-keep assist and rear cross-traffic alert.
