Kia Motors, South Korea’s second largest carmaker, will showcase several new cars at the upcoming 2018 Auto Expo in February. The company has opted Asia’s largest automotive event to start its innings in the highly competitive Indian auto market. Though, the first Kia car will only be launched in the country in 2019. It is expected that Kia will unveil its global cars at the Auto Show, which could also be launched in the market in near future. The Korean giant will showcase around 18 cars along with a new SUV concept at the auto event. Here we bring you a list of upcoming Kia cars at Auto Expo 2018.
Top Upcoming Cars At Auto Expo 2018
New Kia Cars At Auto Expo 2018 – Complete List
Kia Sportage
First model in our list of upcoming Kia cars at Auto Expo 2018 is the Kia Sportage SUV. The company has already imported this model in India, and reports suggest that the imported model will be showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo 2018. The company has already started testing this SUV on Indian roads, indicating that this SUV could be launched in the country. The Sportage SUV is one of Kia’s oldest models on sale globally. Currently in its fourth generation, Sportage will share engine specs with Hyundai Tucson.
The new Kia Sportage could come with a choice of two powertrains – a 2.0-litre VTVT petrol and a 2.0-litre CRDi diesel. While the former is good for 155bhp and 192Nm, the oil burner produces 185bhp and 400Nm of torque. Transmission options will include a 6-speed manual and an automatic unit.
Expected Launch – 2019
Expected Price – Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh
Kia Rio sedan
Kia had announced that it will start innings with a compact SUV and a mid-sized sedan in the country. Hyundai Verna based Rio sedan could be Kia’s mid-sized sedan in the country. This model will be showcased alongside other Kia cars at Auto Expo 2018. The sedan will take on the likes of Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. The new model sits above 4 meter in length, and has a wheelbase of 2,570mm that returns into spacious cabin.
The Rio mid-sized sedan is available with three engine options – 1.6-litre petrol, 1.4-litre U2 CRDi diesel and a 1.6-litre U2 CRDi diesel. Both manual and automatic versions will be on offer. The sedan is expected to be priced between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 11 lakh.
Expected Price – Rs 8 lakh to Rs 11 lakh
Expected Launch – 2019
Kia Stonic
Next in our list of upcoming Kia cars at Auto Expo 2018 is the Stonic SUV. This could be Kia’s first SUV for the Indian market. This model will rival the likes of Hyundai Creta and others in its segment. The Stonic SUV features ‘tiger nose’ grille and sweptback headlamps. This premium SUV comes with sharp creases, kinks near the door still, metal skid plates and alloy wheels. This model is available with a new 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The global spec model is equipped with a new 1.0-litre turbocharged, 3-cylinder T-GDI engine with 118bhp of power. Additionally, the SUV also gets a 1.25-litre and 1.4-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engines. The diesel version of the SUV will be equipped with a 1.6-litre unit.
Expected Price – Rs 12 lakh to Rs 16 lakh
Expected Launch – 2019
Kia Picanto
Korean automaker is likely to launch the Picanto hatchback in India. This small car could be showcased alongside other Kia cars at Auto Expo 2018. It will be positioned against the likes of Hyundai Grand i10, Tata Tiago and Maruti Swift. This model had its global debut at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show. The new model comes equipped with aggressive front fascia such as squared bonnet, sharp pulled-back headlamps, small mesh grille with chrome surround, tiger-nose grille and LED DRLs and indicators.
The small car is equipped with several high features like 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, multi-functional steering wheel, reversing camera, etc. This hatchback is available with two engine options – 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol and new 1.2-litre diesel. Transmission options include a five-speed manual and an automatic unit.
Expected Price – Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh
Expected Launch – 2019-2020
Kia Niro
Alongside Sportage, Kia could also showcase the Niro crossover at the 2018 Delhi Auto Expo in February. It is also the first hybrid car that made its global debut at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show. The crossover is powered by a 1.6-litre GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine, which is combined with lithium-ion polymer battery pack and 32kW electric motor.
Kia Cerato
The next in our list of new Kia cars at Auto Expo 2018 is the company’s D-segment sedan – Cerato. The sedan is also available in the US markeyt as the Forte. Based on the Hyundai Elantra platform, the sedan will take on the likes of Skoda Octavia, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Elantra. It is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine that churns out a maximum power output of 130bhp and a peak torque of 157Nm. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox. In terms of proportions, the Cerato is slightly smaller than the Elantra. If Cerato comes to India, it will get also get a diesel engine.
Kia Optima
The next showcar from the Korean auto-giant at the Auto Expo 2018 will be Kia Optima, which is a luxury sedan. In global markets, this sedan rivals the like of Toyota Camry, Skoda Superb and Honda Accord. This luxury sedan comes with a smart-looking large sedan that has a spacious and feature loaded cabin. Powering the sedan is a 2.0-litre petrol engine that is capable of producing a maximum power output of 143bhp and a peak torque of 240Nm. Power will be transmitted to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Kia Sorento
Company’s flagship SUV, the Sorento will be unveiled alongside other new Kia cars at Auto Expo 2018. It is a seven-seat luxury SUV that rivals the global-spec Hyundai Santa Fe and Skoda Kodiaq. The company has already imported the SUV in India and has been spotted at Kia’s new manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh. The SOrento is available with multiple engine options that include a 188bhp, 2.2-litre petrol, a 185bhp, 2.0-litre diesel and a 200bhp, 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine. For transmission duties, the SUV gets a six-speed manual, a six-speed automatic and a new eight-speed automatic gearbox. The company had showcased the updated Sorento SUV at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Kia SUV concept
The Korean automaker will also showcase a compact SUV concept at the 2018 Auto Expo. If reports are to be believed, the SUV will be based on the i20 platform and will sit above 4 meter in length. This model will challenge the likes of Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster. It is expected to share mechanics with the Creta SUV, which includes a 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines.
