Caoa Hyundai will have its first electric in Brazil this year

By Redação AutoIndústria | 3/9/23 | Translated by Jorge Meditsch

After investing mostly in Caoa-Chery brand vehicles over the last three years, Caoa Montadora changed its direction for the next few months and promises to stir up the market with imported and national Hyundai models. The focus now is mainly on electrification.

The major novelties are the offer for immediate sales of the Ioniq HEV hybrid, which was offered only through subscription, and the Korean compact SUV Kona Hybrid, also in a full-electric version that will be available in the second semester.

The manufacturer also made aesthetic changes in the New Tucson that will arrive at the dealers this month. The interior of the SUV made in Anápolis, GO, got a new instrument panel and a 9-inch multimedia screen, as well as technical changes to meet the Proconve L7 emission levels. A new generation should arrive in 2025.

Another model made in Goiás that changed to meet emissions regulations is the HR light truck, which can already be bought as 4 x 4 and was improved with a new instrument panel with a 3.5-inch display.

A future brand’s star with potential to stand out in sales, the Kona Hybrid has a 1.6-liter gasoline engine combined with an electric motor, delivering a total of 141 cv and 27 kgfm. The transmission is a six-speed double-clutch gearbox, and the batteries are lithium-ion. According to Caoa Hyundai, the consumption reaches 19.6 km/l in the city and 17.4 km/l on the highway.

The Kona EV, the first full-electric car sold in Brazil by the brand, has a 136 cv and 40.3 kgfm motor with 39.2 kWh batteries. The estimated range is 252 km.

Import models such as the large Palisade SUV and the Ioniq 5 medium hatchback should arrive next, both in 2024. The manufacturer did not reveal which versions will be offered.