Blending a hip attitude, style, sportiness and luxury not generally expected from a sub-compact, Hyundai has targeted youthful “urban adventurers” with its sub-compact crossover utility vehicle, the 2020 Hyundai Kona.

Introduced in 2018 with what Hyundai called “urban smart armor” exterior styling, Kona displays an aggressive demeanor complemented by a low and wide stance, and has packed the vehicle with niche-leading safety technology and advanced infotainment features in a compact footprint. Hyundai has also paid attention to performance and safety, offering two engines – one of which is a turbo system – and Kona has been awarded Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and five stars from the federal government. The package tops off with a composure designed to exhibit confident handling in a variety of urban and adventure-oriented driving environments. 

Since its launch in 2018, Kona gained standard driver assistance features last year, including forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and pedestrian detection and an all-electric Kona model. For 2020, Kona adds available adaptive cruise control and a new SEL Plus trim that is up-tweaked with more standard equipment. And on the Kona Limited trim, if you select Sunset Orange exterior paint, it comes with new Orange interior accents. Next year, the Night Edition trim joins the lineup

Slotting just below the larger Hyundai Tucson, the subcompact CUV is so well packed that my test Kona, in Ultimate trim, required only slight accessory add-ons, and an upgrade to AWD. Kona is outfitted with a standard floating touchscreen with Apple CarPlay™/Android Auto™ capability; and Hyundai Smart Sense with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Driver Attention Warning, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning. 

My test Kona Ultimate (top-of-the-line) trim came standard with a Heads-up Display, an 8-inch LCD touchscreen display with navigation, High Beam Assist
Parking distance warning, Rain-sensing wipers, HomeLink® and compass, Infinity® premium audio with 8 speakers including subwoofer, and external amplifier, a 4.2-inch color Multi-Information Display, Blue Link® Connected Car Services, Blue Link® connectivity  and guidance packages, and wireless device charging.

Kona’s exterior is designed to exude adventure, power and elegance for the niche, while showing a willingness to take on soft-road activities. Kona plays to Hyundai’s family identity with a cascading grille, featuring a sporty mesh pattern, flanked by flared, wing-like fenders that dominate the front visage. 

The sub-compact Kona measures 164.0 inches long, 70.9 inches wide and 61.0 inches high on a 102.4-inch wheelbase, providing a forgiving minimum ground clearance of 6.7 inches. The lightest Konas weigh in with a curb-eight of 2890 pounds and the heaviest with the turbo engine can reach 3276 pounds. 

The distinctive features of the exterior continue inside with a strong horizontal character line creating a wide and spacious feel. The sleek and simple layout interior incorporates advanced infotainment features and a standard floating seven-inch touchscreen. HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) controls are surrounded by soft, fluid details that contribute to a sensuous experience and enhance the comfort-focused environment.

The cabin shows average-but-not spacious room for the niche, with front headroom of 38.0 inches (with sunroof and 39.6 without it) and rear headroom of 37.8 inches. Legroom is comfortable up front at 41.5 inches and tight as expected in back at 34.6 inches. Shoulder room is generous at 55.5 inches in row one, and 54.5 in row two.

Kona targets efficiency with its powertrains and offers a choice of two gasoline engines. On the SE, SEL and SEL Plus trims a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson engine is standard, and produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Limited and Ultimate trims offer the Gamma 1.6-liter 4-cylinder direct-injected, turbocharged engine generating 175 HP and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. The turbo engine is coupled to a seven-speed EcoShift® dual-clutch manual transmission.

The 2.0-liter engine is rated at 27mpg in city driving and 33mpg on the highway for FWD and 25/city, 30/highway for AWD; and the 1.6 turbo that powered my test ride was rated at 28/city and 32/highway for FWD and 26/city, 29/highway for AWD. I averaged 27.2mpg during a week of mixed-use runs. Acceleration is predictable and confident, with hill ascends and passing achieved easily. On the track, a steady 7.7-second zero-to-60mph dash and 16.1-second quarter-mile were accomplished.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona is offered in five trims (SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited and Ultimate). The SE starts at $20,300 with the 2.0-liter engine and 6-speed automatic transmission in FWD, and ranges to $27,950 for the Ultimate trim I tested with the 1.6-liter turbo and 7-speed EcoShift Dial Clutch transmission in AWD.

In Surf Blue exterior paint and a Gray interior, my Ultimate tweaked up with AWD for $1400. The Ultimate trim was so well-packed with standard equipment that only all-weather carpeted floor mats were added for $165 and mudguards were installed for $120. With an $1175 Freight charge added, my 2020 Hyundai Kona Ultimate stickered at $30,810 for the top-of-the line and seemed to be well in-line with the luxury and quality that were included in the package. You can also get into a lesser-scale Kona for $8,000 less, and Retail Cash Bonuses of up to $2500 may be available from your local dealer, with zero-percent financing options also offered.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Great weather goes a long way when having an outdoor automotive event…a long way.  In a year like no other, Carlisle Events welcomed a passionate group of buyers and sellers to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds for Fall Carlisle and “off the charts” weather was on the menu all five days.  From Wednesday, September 30 to Sunday, October 4 mother nature gave everyone something to remember.  The visuals weren’t just spectacular, the event itself was too.  Needless to say, those who were able to be part of Fall Carlisle 2020 went home happy. 

One of the coolest features about an event like Fall Carlisle is that those who come to sell, arrive early…like really early.  A lot of times, vendors and midway partners are coming to Carlisle upwards of one week prior to the event.  This offers ample time to unload, set up and showcase their wares.  It also allows everyone who comes to sell a chance to peruse the grounds and do some pre-event wheeling and dealing to boost inventory from or mix and mingle with their fellow vendors.

An event like Fall Carlisle is all about selling, either within the automotive flea market, midway or as part of the car corral, but for 2020, Fall Carlisle took on some added special features.  At Fall Carlisle 2020, the spotlight shined on “Anymotive vending” and the AACA car club.  Anymotive is a fun phrase coined to call out the vendors and their stuff that might not be car themed but still powered by an engine.  This includes (and was seen/sold at the event) items like lawn mowers, coolers, generators, weed whackers, power washers and more.  These vendors have always been part of the automotive flea market, but for 2020, their stuff meant even more to those who were buying or selling.   

For the AACA car club, 2020 meant a major hurdle to club promotion and participation.  Their Fall Hershey meet was canceled as were many other key events for the club, but with Fall Carlisle happening, the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and the main stage made for a perfect spot for them to showcase some cool vintage cars, motorcycles and promote their 2021 event in Chocolate Town, USA!  In addition to their cool cars and recruiting efforts, there were many AACA vendors peppered in and around the automotive flea market too, meaning more pre-war pieces, parts, merchandise and collectibles for sale.

Something else that made Fall Carlisle 2020 so special was the fact that people who came to Carlisle to sell were motivated to do so, while those looking to buy were also eager to spend.  This was true within the car corral, the automotive flea market, midway AND the adjacent two-day classic and collector car auction powered by Carlisle Auctions.  Folks were also in a giving mood at this and all events on the Carlisle schedule, as donation tins and bins were set up with offerings benefiting Project SHARE and the United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County respectively.  Project SHARE’s vision is ‘Nourishing Our Community…Awakening Hope,’ while United Way’s donations go directly to local non-profit organizations in the Carlisle community that were impacted by COVID-19.

While 2020 is a wrap, 2021 is already in the planning stages.  Fall Carlisle 2021 runs September 29-October 3 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  In addition, the two-day auction returns too, spanning September 30-October 1 at the Carlisle Expo Center.  Learn more at www.CarlisleEvents.com.

When Carlisle Auctions last offered an event it was in February and things as we knew it then were fairly normal.  Little did anyone know, it would be more than seven months between events with some first-ever cancelations mixed in.  Since knowledge is power, those seven months were used to learn, monitor and strategize ways to best host an in-person auction.  Backed by industry support, a solid set of health/safety guidelines and a hungry core of bidders and sellers, Carlisle Auctions successfully hosted and executed its two-day Fall Carlisle auction (October 1 & 2) at the Carlisle Expo Center. 

Powered by two great partners, the AACA Museum, Inc. and Classic Auto Mall, over 400 lots of all eras or production crossed the block.  More than ever before, dozens of pre-war consignments were available, with many selling.  Also highly sought after were muscle cars both past and present.  Carlisle Auctions even ran a nice mix of modern rides, including the top seller, a 2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Midwest Automotive Design Passage Van.

Another great feature of the Fall Carlisle auction was an all-truck hour on October 1 at around 5 p.m.  While the top four don’t include any of the more than two dozen trucks that crossed the block, it was a widely popular feature that will absolutely return to a future event.  The top selling truck of the group ended up being a 1947 Kaiser Street Rod truck at $55,100.  This truck came to Carlisle Auctions via the partnership with the AACA Museum, Inc.

As noted in the headline, the sell through rate and dollars generated were a stunning result for the Carlisle Auctions team given world events and more than anything, a testament to their efforts and the passion of those who participated in the auction.  63% of all consignments sold, with $4.4 million in total sales.  Sales totals do include all buyers and sellers fees. 

Top 4 at Fall Carlisle 2020:

1. 2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Midwest Automotive Design Passage Van - $91,000
2. 1970 Buick GSX - $80,250
3. 1967 Nova SS - $65,000
4. 2012 Bentley Continental Flying S - $63,600

While those are the top four selling lots, there are many more vehicles still available via the Classic Auto Mall still for sale showroom.  Full results for the auction are available at http://CarlisleAuctions.com.  In addition, vehicles that are still for sale will be available online for a few weeks following the event and noted by a special graphic within the listing.  Finally, while the Fall 2020 auction has concluded, the Carlisle Auctions team is already prepping for 2021.  At this time, the first scheduled auction is February 19-20 in Lakeland, Florida as part of Winter AutoFest.  Following that event, the auction team returns to action in Pennsylvania as part of Spring Carlisle 2021.  The spring auction is April 22-23.

First launched by the Rover Co. in 1948, Land Rover has earned a 72-year reputation for delivering tough, durable, go-anywhere, 4-wheel-drive utility vehicles without sparing comfort or tech. Now known as Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC, and owned by parent Tata Motors of India, Land Rover continues to produce luxurious, safe, sturdy, high-tech and high-ticket off-roaders.

That tradition takes another step with the all-new Land Rover Defender, bringing back the badge (originally marketed from 1983-2016) with a new body structure, all-new technologies and proven hardware. Defender is a luxury four-wheel drive off-road SUV that is rugged, upmarket and re-imagined for the 21st century.

Playing on its iconic silhouette and shape, Defender is newly engineered for increased all-terrain capability and toughness. With a rugged modular interior providing comfort, capability and connectivity tech, Defender attends to its niche while remaining Land Rover luxurious and amenity packed. My test Defender 110 was outfitted with All Wheel Drive, Electronic Air Suspension, 8-speed Automatic Transmission, Auto-dimming interior rear view mirror, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®), Wireless Device Charging, Keyless Entry, Connected Navigation Pro, 10-inch Touchscreen, Hill Launch Assist, Electric Power Assisted Steering, Dynamic Stability Control, Low Traction Launch, Electronic Traction Control, Roll Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control, Hill Descent Control and much more.

Defender’s rugged architecture employs minimal front and rear overhangs, with a purposeful upright stance and Alpine light windows in the roof, while retaining its iconic side-hinged rear tailgate and externally mounted spare wheel. That ruggedness is embodied in a package that measures 77.4 inches long, 78.6 inches high and 79.1 inches high on a 119.0-inch wheelbase, with a front overhang of 33.3 inches. Curb weight runs from 3815 to 4940 for the 110 model I tested, and some trims beef up to as much as 5165 lbs with the larger engine.

The Defender interior is an upscale, capable, comfortable, intuitive environment. Cabin features include, leather gearshift and steering wheel, carpet mats, two-zone Climate Control, cargo cover, footwell lights, rear reading lights, 40:20:40 folding rear seats, 8-way semi-powered front seats, Ebony fabric seats with Ebony/Ebony interior and such Driver Assistance tech advances as Blind Spot Assist, 3D Surround Camera

Cruise Control and Speed Limiter, Driver Condition Monitor, Lane Keep Assist, 360⁰ Parking Aid, Traffic Sign Recognition, Adaptive Speed Limiter and Wade Sensing.

With 5/6 seating or 5-plus-2 seating, Defender supplies 40.6 inches of front row headroom, 40.4 in row two and 40.7 in row three. Legroom is 39.1 inches in front, 39.1 in row two and only 20.5 in the third row, while shoulder room comes in at a spacious 60.8, 59.2 and 48.3.

U.S. customers can choose between a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, badged P300, and a 3.0-liter six-cylinder Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrain, badged P400. The P300 powertrain, which produces 296hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, uses an advanced twin-scroll turbocharger for smooth performance and efficient power delivery, The P400 inline-six MHEV powertrain harvests energy normally lost during deceleration and redeploys it to optimize performance to provide 395hp and 406-lb ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a smooth and responsive eight-speed ZF® automatic transmission and twin-speed transfer box, to deliver a set of low-range ratios essential for towing or off-road driving when more control is required.

In tests, my 2.0-liter, estimated at 18mpg/city and 21mpg/highway, averaged 19.3mpg, and at the track, we accelerated from zero to 60mph in 8 seconds-flat (hand-timed) during a 16.3-second quarter-mile. The sturdy short, long arms (SLA) double wishbone front suspension with an integral link rear was comforting and supple, and the Electronic Power Assisted Rack and Pinion Steering was All-Terrain attentive and in-town attentive, though loose at high speed.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender starts at $49,900 for the Standard P300 110 model (296-hp), moves up to $62,250 for the P400 with 395-hp and tops out at $80,900 plus destination and delivery charges for the 110X trim.

My 2020 Defender 110S (one step up from the base model) with the base 296-hp P300 powertrain, started at $53,350 and tweaked up from Standard with 19-inch 6-spoke, Gloss Silver Finish wheels, auto high beam assist lights, Ebony Grained leather and Robust Woven Textile seat facings with Ebony interior, interactive driver display sound system and much more. Pangea Green exterior paint added $710. The $4800 Explorer Pack added front and rear classic mudflaps, matte black hood decal, wheel arch protection, raised air intake, Expedition roof rack, exterior side-mounted gear carrier and spare wheel cover. Off-road and towing packs are extra, but my ride uptweaked for comfort and convenience, adding a Meridian™ Sound System, Premium cabin lighting and front console refrigerator for $895, the Cold Climate Pack (heated windshield, washer jets, power wash and steering wheel) for $700, and Three-Zone Climate Control with Rear Cooling Assist for $1075, also adding Cabin Air Ionization ($100) and Air Quality Sensor ($75). SiriusXM Radio ($300) and WiFi Enabling with Data Plan ($360) were selected and The Driver Assist Pack was also added, with Clear Exit Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control and rear Traffic Monitor for $1275. Adding Delivery and Destination charges of $1350, my Defender 110S stickered at $64,990.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

 

How about we all just forget 2020 ever happened, ok?  Seriously, things were less than ideal.  With Fall Carlisle 2020 wrapping the season for the Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions teams, now is a great time to share what’s on tap for the future, specifically we’re excited to announce our car show and auction schedules for 2021. 

It all starts January 15-17 with Auto Mania within the Agri-Plex building of the Allentown Fairgrounds.  This eastern Pennsylvania event is perfectly located within a 200 mile driving radius of nearly 10,000,000 people.  Some of them even have interest in cars, making Auto Mania Pennsylvania’s LARGEST indoor and heated automotive flea market.

One month later, the heat comes from Mother Nature and the sun and fun of Florida.  Winter AutoFest runs February 19-21 and is held at the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus in Lakeland.  This event is another where an automotive flea market is part of the fun, but it also offers an auction (more on that soon), a car corral PLUS multiple car show options, including a general cruise-in, Mopar and Corvette Fun Fields, the NCRS and Mustang car show.  Mix in the car fun with an active runway/airport and there’s always something unique to see.

The fun in Carlisle starts with Spring Carlisle, April 21-25.  For five days in late spring, the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds come to life as throngs of car lovers converge to buy, sell and trade all things automotive.  After all, some of the best deals are found at the event and by dealing direct vs. a sight unseen online purchase from a faceless seller.  Spring Carlisle also hosts a car corral where person to person car sales are a popular aspect.  For auction enthusiasts, Carlisle Auctions presents a two-day offering, April 22-23 at the Carlisle Expo Center.  Here, attendees have a chance to find their first or next classic and ultimately, an investment that truly accelerates.

Less than a month after the spring event, specialty car show season commences with the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals.  This international showcase of cars and trucks from around the world runs May 14-15.  Drifting, autocross and automotive competitions historically anchor this event and cars showcased from no less than eight different countries of production, with over 100 years of history available in one place.  All-new in 2021, Friday evening of the event will feature extended hours with more show specific fun, including track time and competitions.

In the final weeks of the spring season, Carlisle Events “Summer of Muscle” commences with the Carlisle Ford Nationals, Carlisle GM Nationals and Carlisle Chrysler Nationals.   Ford weekend, presented by Meguiar’s, runs June 4-6, the freshly re-branded Carlisle GM Nationals are June 25-26 and the Chrysler Nationals span July 9-11. 

Each event has its own unique personality and highlights a diverse array of cars/trucks, guests and more, especially as part of the National Parts Depot Showfield during the Ford and GM.  For Ford, guests can enjoy brands like Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Merkur, Ford Tractors and more, while GM hosts Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, etc.  Further, Chrysler weekend sees decades of classics front and center like the Dart, Road Runner, Charger, Challenger, ‘Cuda, GTX, Duster and more, with some of the best new rides positioned all around.  Guests, competitions and anniversary displays are also a big part of all three events.

Positioned between Ford and Chrysler weekend and running in conjunction with the GM Nationals, Carlisle Auctions offers its third event of the year, the Summer Sale.  This one day classic and collector car auction takes place at the Carlisle Expo Center on June 26.

(Read More – Page 2)

After a few weeks “off,” the Carlisle Events team welcomes truck lovers to town as part of the Carlisle Truck Nationals presented by A&A Auto Stores.  This event, August 6-8, is the MOST family friendly offering of the season, combining fun exhibitions with monster truck shows, displays and more.  Kids and adults alike can enjoy in real life the trucks they play with as toys and it doesn’t matter if it’s a fire truck, big rig, cool custom van, SUV, light duty truck, etc., if it’s part of the truck family, it’s on display at Carlisle.

The last specialty, or car specific show, is Corvettes at Carlisle presented by Top Flight Automotive.  The 2021 event runs August 26-28 and aims once more to spotlight every generation of the Corvette, from 1953’s C1 to today’s modern marvel, the mid-engine C8.  Planned to return in 2021 will be the Corvette Engineers from Team Chevrolet, seminars from Paul Koerner, a 50-year display of 1971 Corvettes, Chip’s Choice with a salute to law enforcement theme, on-site installations, parts shopping within the automotive flea market, midway and more.  Also planning a return to the 2021 docket is the downtown Corvette parade and street party and NEW, a “thin blue line” flag, showing support for those who keep us safe and put their lives on the line daily.

2021 wraps with a pair of auctions and Fall Carlisle, the flagship automotive flea market event powered by Carlisle Events.  Fall Carlisle 2021 spans five days, September 29-October 3 and includes a large-scale vending field, car corral and an unrivaled Manufacture’s Midway.  Much like Spring Carlisle, the fall event is a place where car lovers from all walks of life come together to buy, sell and trade all things automotive, all while catching up with old friends or making some new ones along the way.

Fall Carlisle (like Lakeland and Spring) also hosts a two-day, 400+ lot, classic and collector car auction.  The fall auction at the Carlisle Expo Center, just blocks from the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, takes place September 30-October 1.  Lots that cross the block range from early 1900’s era production to modern rides that will no doubt be future classics.  A best-of-show classic or show worthy daily driver can be had starting in the four-figure price range and up and auctions historically include a theme specific to a brand or style, like an all-Ford hour or all-truck hour.

The final auction of the season takes the Carlisle Auctions team back to Florida, this time Sarasota.  Sunset-Carlisle takes place November 12-13 at the Sunset Automotive Group facility on Sawyer Loop Rd., not far from I-75.  Though a slightly smaller version of the auction events in Lakeland and Carlisle, hundreds of “Florida cars” cross the block, including sports cars, exotics, well kept muscle and more. 

Involvement in all auctions yields the ability to buy, sell or simply watch as a spectator.  Bidding is offered in person, online or over the phone, making the process simple and convenient.  Auction consignments are also taken under Carlisle Auctions’ FREE UNLESS SOLD guarantee, meaning any consignment 25 years or older that doesn’t sell will see applicable fees refunded.  Finally, consigning early means more time for the Carlisle Auctions team to expertly market and promote to a hungry audience of car enthusiasts.  Full auction details are available at www.CarlisleAuctions.com or by calling 717-960-6400.

As the car shows go, many display themes and guests that will support them will be announced in the coming weeks and months through www.CarlisleEvents.com or on the show’s respective social media pages.  Those interested in becoming a vendor or learning more can call 717-243-7855.

Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions are committed to the health and safety of guests who attend our events.  As such, we remain COVID-19 compliant heading into the 2021 season.  Current health safety measures are available for review online at either of the aforementioned web pages.  Call or check CarlisleEvents.com and CarlisleAuctions.com to confirm dates, prices and activities.