Jeep and Kia to enter sub-4 meter SUV category in India
Buoyed by excellent response for the Seltos, Kia Motors is now planning to launch 6 new cars in India in the next 3 years. Coming January 2020, Kia will introduce the premium Grand Carnival MPV. The company is also readying a sub-4 meter SUV, which is scheduled to be launched in the second half of 2020. Codenamed QYi, the new Kia small SUV will directly rival the Hyundai Venue, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport and the Mahindra XUV300.
Not just Kia, Jeep is also readying a sub-4 meter SUV for the Indian market. The new SUV is reportedly to be launched in late 2021 or 2022. The sub-Renegade SUV will be the Jeep’s smallest SUV and will target emerging markets. To be developed at the Ranjangaon facility, the new Jeep sub-4 meter SUV will be the only car in its segment to offer 4-wheel-drive system.
The new Jeep sub-4 meter SUV is expected to be developed of the Fiat Panda’s 4×4 platform. Rumours suggest that FCA could utilise the Groupe PSA CMF modular platform. The new Jeep SUV is also likely to receive electric as well as hybrid powertrains. It is likely to utilise the de-tuned version of the 1.4-litre petrol engine that also powers the Compass. A diesel version could also be on offer. In the global markets, the new Jeep sub-4 meter SUV will directly rival the Suzuki Jimny and the Ford EcoSport.
The Kia QYi compact SUV will be based on the Hyundai Venue’s platform. Not just platform, the small SUV is also expected to source the engine mechanics with the Venue compact SUV. It will receive the BS6 compliant 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Both manual and automatic versions are likely to be on offer.
