A Nürburgring-honed SUV may not be what the world needs, but we're glad it exists anyway - making its world debut today is the 2021 Hyundai Kona N, the brand's first SUV to join their high-performance N line-up. 

Hyundai cars wearing the 'N' suffix mean business - think of them as analogous to BMW's M, or Mercedes-Benz's AMG range. Of course it's going to have serious firepower.

The sharp and aggressive looks are a clue. There's a new mesh pattern grille, sharp LED lights, chunky 19-inch wheels, and a pair of fat exhaust tips serving as key differentiating factors from the regular variant.

Power is literally the headlining figure here, with the Kona N's 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder pushing 280 PS and 392 Nm torque, good for a 0-100 km/h time of 5.5 seconds.

Unlike the rest of the N line-up - the i30 N, Veloster N - this makes do without a 6-speed manual, coming only with a track-sharpened 8-speed wet-type dual-clutch automatic transmission (N DCT).

The Kona N grows even more outlandish when you read further into it. Like its stablemates, it also gets the N Grin Shift (NGS) feature that releases maximum power of the engine and transmission for 20 seconds - very Need for Speed, eh?

Grin Shift is among the two other N-specific features it gets: N Power Shift (NPS) which mitigates reduction of torque and more importantly, makes 'bang sounds', while N Track Sense Shift (NTS) optimises the transmission for track driving.

Hyundai says the N DCT - N for Namyang, not Nürburgring - has been tested for approximately 1,350 laps on the 'Ring.

Getting that power through the front wheels is aided by an electronic limited-slip differential. The Kona N also adds on adaptive suspension, launch control, and selectable drive modes. 

On top of the standard airbags, the Kona N keeps its ADAS features, including lane departure warning and assistance, and adaptive cruise control (Smart Cruise Control, in Hyundai's parlance).

Gladly, it also keeps what makes a Kona, a Kona - seating for five, useable boot space, and creature comforts like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are still there.

Coming to Malaysia?

As nice as it would be to have this bonkers SUV here, looks like it'll remain as forbidden fruit for now - Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM), are yet to say anything about the model's introduction on our shores. Don't get your hopes too high though.

Also read: Priced from RM 120k, 2021 Hyundai Kona facelift launched in Malaysia, no turbo for now

What they've confirmed however is the Kona N Line, a slightly-tarted up version of the regular Kona. Upon its introduction, it could be the only turbocharged variant of the newly-facelifted range.

Also read: Want a turbocharged Kona? Wait for the Hyundai Kona N Line, coming to Malaysia

More as we have it.