Kia Motors India To Launch More SUVs, MPVs; No Hatchbacks
Kia Motors has some really big plans for the Indian market. The Korean carmaker that begun its Indian innings with the Seltos compact SUV, recently rolled out the Kia Carnival luxury MPV in the country. Price announcement have been made at the Auto Expo 2020. The Kia Sonet sub-4 metre SUV also made its world debut at the biennial event.
Speaking to an online media publication, Lorenz Glaab, Vice President, product management sub-division, Hyundai Motor Group, the parent company of Kia Motors, has revealed that the company will “focus on more premium segments of the Indian passenger vehicle market”. As of now, the carmaker has no plan to enter into the hatchback or sub-4 metre compact sedan segments.
Instead of that Kia Motors might consider a C or D segment sedan for the Indian market. This means, the Korean carmaker might bring in the Kia Optima sedan to challenge the cars Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic. In July 2019, the Optima sedan was spotted testing in the country.
In international markets, the Optima is offered with multiple petrol powertrains including a 1.6L, a 2.0L turbo and a 2.4L naturally aspirated. There are two gearboxes on offer – a 6-speed automatic and a 7-speed dual clutch automatic. If launched in India, the premium sedan might be offered with a 1.6L diesel engine borrowed from the Hyundai Elantra.
Talking about the Kia Sonet, the subcompact SUV will see a release in the second half of this year. The Sonet will share its platform and engines with the Hyundai Venue. This means, it could be offered with a 82PS, 1.2L petrol and a 120PS, 1.0L turbo petrol engine option. Reports suggest that the compact SUV might also get the detuned version of the Seltos’s 1.5L CRDI diesel motor.
Kia Sonet First Look Video