Hyundai Kona EV becomes an 815-PS rally racer

Hayden Paddon, a racer who won multiple New Zealand Rally Championships, is getting ready a new toy to play with based on the old-gen Hyundai Kona Electric. Going forward, the car is set to receive a trio of electric motors capable of 815 PS (804 hp / 600 kW) combined. It is unknown when the project may be completed, though.

Per Paddon, the SUV keeps its standard body structure intact while taking advantage of major chassis, drivetrain and interior upgrades. A local university research team came up with an aerodynamic body kit for the one-off build, and a roll cage made it inside the cabin along with track-focused instrument gauges.

The powertrain is still under development. Paddon’s original idea is to use three 200kW motors, but he considers removing one for the car to comply with a wider scope of racing regulations. There are two battery sizes in the works, too: the current build makes do with a small 23-kWh pack, but it is set to be replaced with a larger 54-kWh pack later on.

The electromod has already participated in a number of races against comparable ICE cars and won the majority of them. Paddon says its main advantages are a low center of gravity and flexible per-axle torque distribution. Still, his key goal is to take the Kona EV to an actual rally championship.