Auto Expo 2020: Kia Sonet Revealed to be Available Late This Year

The Auto Expo 2020 is in full swing and carmakers are taking the opportunity to showcase their new offerings to a broad audience of motoring enthusiasts. One of these is the South Korean automaker, Kia, which unveiled its Sonet subcompact SUV Concept. Kia Motors India led the unveiling of the new Sonet concept which will pave the way for the company’s development of a global compact crossover design. According to Kookhyun Shim, MD, CEO of Kia Motors India, “Globally, Kia Motors is driven by the passion of our customers, partners, and employees. We continue to strengthen our role as a global brand, and our success in recent years has been a result of our unique future-centric approach to innovation. As the Indian market evolves, we will continue to offer customers here the best and most innovative products and services.” The Kia Sonet concept, which was codenamed ‘QYI’ before its reveal, is a sub 4-meter compact SUV that showcases Kia’s signature honeycomb tiger-nose front grille flanked by sharply elongated projector headlights that are accentuated with hockey stick-shaped LED daytime running lights. Below is an equally robust air dam sans the fog lights— an add-on perhaps? The same crease styling on the bonnet can be seen on the sides with flared wheel arches and carried over to the rear that showcases a wide rear signature lighting. This Kia rides on a set of large diamond-cut alloy wheels. Inside, the Kia Sonet concept gets inspiration from the necessity to stay connected. Thus, the instrumentation panel gets a 10.25-inch infotainment display equipped with a navigation system via UVO Connect, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, and partnered with Bose premium audio system. Other noteworthy features are the wireless charger—which lessens wire clutter, auto climate control, air purifier, remote engine start, and electric sunroof. The new Kia crossover SUV will share the same architecture as the Hyundai Venue and will be offered in several engine choices: 1.2-liter petrol, 1.0-liter turbo petrol, and a 1.5-liter diesel option. The engine can be partnered to either a 6-speed intelligent manual transmission (iMT) or a Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) which will send power to the front wheels. The new Kia Sonet will be assembled in India, particularly at Kia’s Anantapur facility in Andhra Pradesh and is expected to be available in local Kia showrooms on the latter part of the year.  

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