Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors To Launch Palisade And Facelifted Kona This Year

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM), the sole distributor of Hyundai vehicles, is set to launch its award-winning luxury SUV, Palisade, and its compact 2021 facelifted Kona SUV in Malaysia.

The Hyundai Palisade is the brand’s flagship 7-seater SUV. Built on a new SUV chassis, it provides exceptional roominess for the second and third row seats as well as generous cargo space. It is powered by an Atkinson-cycle 3.8L V6 engine with dual CVVT and direct injection which offers excellent power and efficiency with 291 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 355 Nm of torque @ 5,000 rpm.

Thanks to its spaciousness, the Palisade is positioned as the ultimate family vehicle that offers practicality and comfort for daily use. Notable features include a Head-Up Display (HUD) and an industry-first innovative new roof vent diffuser design that provides a focused, partially-diffused or fully-diffused stream of air to rear passengers. This new diffuser vent design provides quieter rear air conditioning airflow, draft-free operation, more uniform distribution of air and the capability for a focused stream of air whenever desired.

Additionally, the facelifted 2021 Kona will also be coming. HSDM had launched the Kona last year and had received good feedback. “The public had their first look of our compact SUV, Kona, last year and it was well received despite the stiff competition in the SUV segment. Considering the positive response and reviews received for the newly designed Kona overseas, we are confident we will be able to capture more hearts this time around,” said Mr Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of HSDM.

Some of the highlights of the facelifted Kona are a new Smartstream G2.0 Atkinson-cycle engine, an updated front fascia design, new 17″ and 18″ wheels, an enhanced SmartSense state-of-the-art safety package and a remote starter.

The 2021 Kona Smartstream G2.0 Atkinson four-cylinder petrol engine is paired with a CVT automatic and produces 149 PS @ 6,200 rpm and 180 Nm of torque @ 4,500 rpm for the front wheels. The Smartstream engine is said to offer dynamic performance with a smoother, more comfortable driving experience, reduced emissions and better fuel efficiency.

On the exterior, the Kona will continue with an urban sporty styling as part of Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness global design theme. The new exterior design is even more provocative and sensuous than before with a curved bonnet design.

This facelifted version also projects a more sophisticated and progressive look in its interior. The new console area gets a new horizontal layout while the air vents and speakers also get new rings with aluminium finish.

Also included in the new version is an upgraded ambient lighting technology that lights up the cupholder and foot lamps on the front passenger and driver side. New interior colour options, materials and trims are also to be expected.

Low said that while the Palisade and the facelifted Kona are among models that HSDM will be launching this year, other new models are also in the pipeline and are bound to excite the market.