The first and main market for the compact Kia SUV will be India. It is expected that there the model will share the engine range with its sister Hyundai Venue.
As a concept, the small crossover Kia Sonet made its debut at the Indian Motor Show in early February of this year. And now the company has sent local journalists invitations to the presentation of the product version – it will be shown on August 7. The place indicated “wherever you are,” that is, obviously, the model will be presented online. The invitation is accompanied by a teaser, but the picture seems to capture the same concept, the only noticeable difference from the February car is the GT Line badge on the grille. However, it is assumed that the conveyor version as a whole retained the appearance of a harbinger, with the exception of the details inherent in show cars. Hyundai and Kia will develop a new platform for electric cars
The closest relative of Sonet is Hyundai Venue, but in terms of design, the models tried to maximize the dilution. So, Kia cross has “traditional” headlights instead of two-tier Venue optics, plus a family radiator grille, tail lights combined by a red die.
The characteristics of the concept were never announced, but here again it is worth taking a closer look at Venue. Like the Indian version of the Hyundai cross-country, the length of the Sonet probably does not exceed four meters (“shorties” in India have tax benefits, the length of the local Venue is 3995 mm). The size of the wheelbase is probably the same 2500 mm.
Kia Sonet will also share the engine range with a relative from Hyundai, but perhaps not completely. Indian media believe that gasoline engines will be common in models: the atmospheric “four” Kappa 1.2 (83 hp) and the “turbo-engine” 1.0 T-GDI (120 hp). But the diesel on Sonet supposedly will go from the local Kia Seltos – it’s 1.5 CRDi with a return of 115 hp. At Hyundai Venue, the “aspirated” is combined with 5MKP, the diesel Kia Seltos is available with 6MKP or 6AKP. The Hyundai Cross with 1.0 T-GDI is now offered with a 6MKP or a seven-speed two-clutch robotic gearbox. The drive of the new Kia, in any case, is only front-wheel (like Venue).
The Sonet crossover will be cheaper than Seltos, but it is expected to be slightly more expensive than Venue. Production will be adjusted at the Kia Indian plant, SUVs can reach dealers in September. They plan to sell the new cross in other countries of the Asia-Pacific region, but their list has not yet been disclosed.