Kia is now making headlines with
its upcoming sub-4 metre SUV. If you recall, IAB broke out the news of its
official name 'Sonet' a day before yesterday. Recently, one of its test mules with
steel wheels was spied in its home country.
The
Kia Sonet is being designed keeping Indian customers as the main target. It
will be sold in various Asia-Pacific and Middle East markets. It'll be is
nothing but a mechanical cousin of the Hyundai Venue, and thus be placed lower
than the Seltos, making the Kia brand more accessible in India. It is said to
make its world premiere at the Auto Expo 2020, and it seems likely as it has
been undergoing testing on the Indian roads from several months now.
Expect
the Kia Sonet to come loaded with exterior features like LED headlights, heated
mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED tail lights and a power sunroof. On the
inside, it may have an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav,
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, UVO Connect connected vehicle solutions, heated
seats, wireless charger and rear AC vents among others. Needless to say,
features offered will vary as per the market and Indian-spec Sonet might not
pack all of these. Along
with the platform, the Kia Sonet will likely borrow the engines and
transmissions from the Hyundai Venue.
Kia
Sonet (Kia QYI) - Expected Mechanical Configurations
- 83 PS 1.2L MPI naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, 5-speed MT, FWD
- 120 PS 1.0L T-GDI turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, 6-speed MT or 7-speed DCT, FWD
- 123 PS 1.6L MPI naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, 6-speed MT or CVT, FWD
- 90 PS 1.4L CRDi turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine, 6-speed MT, FWD
The
Kia Sonet will be manufactured at the Kia's Anantapur plant, alongside the Kia
Seltos. In India, it will be launched in H2 2020.
