Kia India is preparing a new 7-seater car, which was rumoured to be positioned against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki XL6 and the Mahindra Marazzo. Interestingly, a 7-seater Kia SUV has been spotted testing by Motoroctane folks in Hyderabad. The new model is basically the 7-seater version of the Kia Sonet, which has recently been launched in Indonesia.
The report claims that the new Kia Sonet 7-seater SUV will be launched in our market in early next year. It is expected to be priced somewhere around Rs 9 lakh to Rs 16 lakh. For people not in the know, the Indonesian-spec Sonet (both 5 and 7-seater) is being manufactured and exported from Kia’s Anantapur based plant in Andhra Pradesh, India.
The spotted model was largely covered in thick cloth; however, few design elements are visible. The front DRLs, ORVMs and window beltline confirms that the spotted model is a Sonet. Adding to it, the brake lights and high-mount stop lamp looks identical to the those available in the Sonet. The hood design looks identical to the Sonet. However, the spotted model looks slightly longer than the existing 5-seater model and could well measure above 4 meters in length. More details will emerge in the near future.
The C-pillar is covered in a thick black cloth, which suggest that the SUV will have extended overhang to accommodate third row of seats. Also visible are the adjustable headrests in the third-row of the car. Details about the interiors are yet to be revealed, but it is likely to share the majority of the features and design with the Sonet compact SUV.
The Kia Sonet 7-seater is likely to get the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, electric sunroof, digital instrument console, wireless charging, automatic climate control, multi-functional steering wheel, etc.
The new Kia Sonet 7-seater SUV is based on Kia’s K2 platform, which also underpins the Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue and Hyundai i20. The Indonesian-spec 7-seater Kia Sonet measures 4120mm in length, 1790mm in width and 1615mm in height. In fact, the wheelbase remains unchanged – i.e. 2500mm. Similar to the Indonesian-spec model, the 7-seater Kia Sonet could come with 2+3+2 seating configuration with split folding for the middle row and a one-touch tumble mechanism for the third row. The second row can be slide forward or backward for adjusting legroom for the middle row and third row occupants.
The 7-seater Sonet could be powered by a 113bhp, 1.5-litre petrol and a 113bhp, 1.5-litre diesel engine. The company could also use the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine to power the SUV. Both manual and automatic versions are likely to be on offer.
Source – Motoroctane
