The long-standing rumor of the Hyundai Kona N getting a dual-clutch gearbox is true, the automaker confirms. This is not a huge surprise since variants of this transmission are also available in the Veloster N and i30 N.
Hyundai has developed the eight-speed DCT in-house. The company claims that this version for the Kona N has improved durability, different gear ratios and a modified transmission control unit.
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Hyundai’s DCT uses a wet-type setup with two electric oil pumps for gear lubrication and improved clutch cooling. The company updated the gearbox pump system to handle more torque and increase the efficiency of power transmission
The gearbox includes three performance characteristics: N Grin Shift, N Power Shift and N Track Sense Shift. Grin Shift pushes the engine and transmission to their maximum level for 20 seconds. Then the driver must wait 40 seconds before being able to use this mode again.
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Power Shift activates whenever the driver changes gears when using more than 90 percent throttle. It attenuates the reduction in torque when switching gears.
Track Sense Shift activates automatically when it detects that conditions are optimal for sporty driving. It selects the right gear and timing to get the best performance for the situation.
The gearbox software is smart enough not to let the driver downshift when the engine hits high enough revs to damage the powertrain. Its memory function remembers the downshift request and only changes the cogs when the result is safe.
Hyundai is already confirming that the Kona N will arrive in the United States later in 2021. The model packs a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder developing 276 horsepower (206 kilowatts) and 289 pound-feet (392 Newton-meters) of torque. . The sporty crossover is reportedly front-wheel drive and uses an electronically controlled limited-slip differential for improved traction.
