The reports seem very enthusiastic but it seems there is much more demand than they can free up for supply to Australia.

Has anyone had any experience of driving one?.

I’ve driven a Kona but it was petrol version,it was a great drive and would have had one but none available for a couple of months and they wouldn’t sell the demo.

1 hour ago, Sad555 said:

I’ve driven a Kona but it was petrol version,it was a great drive and would have had one but none available for a couple of months and they wouldn’t sell the demo.

It seems that Hyundai/Kia are basically German masquerading as Korean, when you hear from their top management.

Unfortunately the 4WD version has a DSG gearbox.

And a good gearbox it is.

8 minutes ago, Sad555 said:

And a good gearbox it is.

I prefer a slush box for creeping over rocks.

Seems Nissan has a plan to promote the Kona electric -

https://electrek.co/2018/11/26/nissan-leaf-long-range-delays-launch-scandal/

FYI

 

Edited 27 November, 20187 yr by Sad555

That’s not news to me.  It simply meant I couldn’t entertain the 4WD version, but it did confirm the German connection.

The electric (Kona) era is here now for those that thought it was still some way off.

I have driven the KIA Niro Hybrid and really liked it, i liked the gearbox when i used it sportingly.

I drove a Niro EV and it is totally different, chalk and cheese but i really enjoyed it, like driving a dodgem.

Actually more like a Kart at an Indoor Karting track. Fun can be had.

 

Not driven the Hyundai Hybrid or EV, but i have sat in a Hybrid in the showroom, and would not have one because of the seating, outer sills and just not how i like things. 

So no Niro or Kona for me.  Great cars though.

 

 

Edited 27 November, 20187 yr by Offski

On 26/11/2018 at 20:27, Ryeman said:

It seems that Hyundai/Kia are basically German masquerading as Korean, when you hear from their top management.

Unfortunately the 4WD version has a DSG gearbox.

Are you saying the Koreans are lying and cheating like some German manufacturers ?

12 minutes ago, Sad555 said:

Are you saying the Koreans are lying and cheating like some German manufacturers ?

Errr.....no.

I’m just not sure how much engineering is Korean these days.

 

there are so many Asian automatics more than 20 years old that have had little maintenance and just keep plugging on.

I’d start worrying about VAG technologies once they’re out of warranty; extended or not.  Of course if it’s a business tax write off it’s a completely different matter.

EV will be a different matter though if only because they shouldn’t be excessively complex mechanically.

More Czech and Slovakian build quality rather than German maybe for Hyundai & KIA.

 

VW have lots to learn still.  

 

The Engineers Engineer and top man at VW Group knew they could learn lots, but then he admitted guilt over the VW Emissions scandal but he obviously was not really responsible, not knowing everything about everything that goes on.

Or some such nonsense...

eg.

'Hands on'!

 

 

 

Edited 28 November, 20187 yr by Offski

1 minute ago, Offski said:

More Czech and Slovakian build quality rather than German maybe for Hyundai & KIA.

 

VW have lots to learn still.  

They have a 10 year design life and European legislatures don’t want old bangers hanging around polluting.  Literally white goods.

I think the German Government are more than happy that their major manufacturers can turn out any old thing as long as they keep on doing it and the money rolls in to Germany.

If that lets other EU Manufacturers get away with polluters as well then so be it.

Edited 28 November, 20187 yr by Offski

10 hours ago, Ryeman said:

EV will be a different matter though if only because they shouldn’t be excessively complex mechanically.

To offset the simpler mechanics the electrics will be more complex (and running at much higher voltages and powers) though.

 

One complexity reduced but another increased - you can't get something for nothing

Seems like owners might well be needing suitable tyres for Winter time, and easy on the accelerator.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 1 December, 20187 yr by Offski

^^^^^ nice one George!

and it can only get better.........too much demand for it already, it seems.

 

 

Edited 1 December, 20187 yr by Ryeman

 

 

 

 

 

Lookin’ good George.

 

(I see Tesla are putting the charging infrastructure for trans Canada now.........things are moving faster than ever it seems)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I suspect demand for it and the Kona might mean we struggle to see much supply in 2019.

 

 

American utility vehicle of the Year -

https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1120920_2019-hyundai-konaand-kona-electricnamed-north-american-utility-vehicle-of-the-year

 

(non-Electric as well !)

 

 

 

 

@Ryeman

I am going for a Kia e-Niro so waiting until the Order books open in March.

It looks like there will only be 1,000 coming to the UK in 2019.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=eRZxn2VkBVQ

 

 

 

 

Edited 22 January, 20197 yr by Skoffski