Itâs no secret that Hyundaiâs design division is more or less the one to overcome at the moment. But if the redesigned 2024 Hyundai Kona is going on sale this summer time, this compact crossoverâs upgrades are extra than simply skin-deep.
The 2024 Hyundai Kona can even function over-the-air updates â the power to wi-fi transmit application updates similar to a smartphone. That would possibly no longer appear particular in an generation when Tesla provides video video games and fart sound results by way of OTA. Apart from the ones form of gimmicks, OTA updates could be a important means so as to add new options and connect insects that exchange or even surpass mechanical maintenance.
OTAs are in large part noticed as the important thing to unlocking the software-focused long run automakers need. So itâs notable that Hyundai has picked the common-or-garden Kona â the outgoing fashion began at simply $22,140â â for this OTA honor, making it one of the vital inexpensive vehicles on sale to supply it as a normal function.
Forward of the autoâs North American debut on the 2023 New York World Auto Display, Hyundai officers stated OTA application updates at the Kona will permit for âa handy, upgradable revel inâ the place house owners will obtain new options, firmware upgrades, maps and multimedia programs wirelessly and with no need to discuss with a broker. The brand new Kona is available in fuel or electrical bureaucracy and OTA updates shall be same old for each.
Symbol credit score: Hyundai
The transfer places Hyundai forward of different competition nonetheless running to roll out OTA updates throughout their complete lineups. The brand new Kona does sign up for its company cousins at Kia, which debuted this option throughout all of its cars previous this 12 months, however just for their infotainment techniques. The Kona options updates that affect many spaces of the automobile.
Whilst OTA updates had been part of Teslaâs vehicles for a few years â thatâs how the electrical automaker sends out new variations of Autopilot, the so-called âComplete Self-Ridingâ machine and lots of different new options and insect fixes â the remainder of the car trade continues to be catching up.
In large part, this option has made it to luxurious vehicles and costlier EVs up to now. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, the electrical Ford fashions, Rivian and a few Toyota and Lexus fashions be offering OTA updates; many others nonetheless don’t. Even Volkswagenâs much-vaunted ID.4 EV despatched house owners to the broker for its application replace, no longer wirelessly.
However thatâs all of a sudden beginning to trade. After years of speaking about it, the car trade is beginning to make OTA updates same old throughout complete lineups of vehicles in order that new application options will also be rolled out at the fly. Electrical cars shall be particularly dependent in this function, as they in most cases require much less upkeep and less portions than inner combustion cars â however would possibly want extra tweaking to higher optimize their battery control, repair insects, improve computerized using purposes or upload new options.
Hyundai Motor Workforce, which contains Hyundai, Kia and comfort newcomer Genesis, has stated its objective is to have all of its vehicles able to OTA updates by means of 2025. Some already are, such because the Kia lineup, the brand new Hyundai Ioniq 6 sedan popping out this spring and the Kia EV9 crossover, which could also be making its debut in New York this week. The up to date 2024 Hyundai Sonata additionally now gives OTA updates.
Extra are coming quickly, and the truth that OTA updates are coming to the affordable Kona says so much about how ubiquitous this generation is prone to change into throughout all the trade.
What we donât know but is the pricing for the brand new Kona. A Hyundai spokesperson stated that data shall be launched nearer to its unencumber this summer time. For now, we do know the crossover will include a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a fully-electric powertrain excellent for a Hyundai-estimated 260 miles of vary. (A hybrid model could also be to be had in different markets, however Hyundai has no longer stated if that shall be bought in North The us; its predecessor was once no longer.) Extra main points shall be to be had nearer to the autoâs release.