The Kia Sonet concept hogged a fair bit of limelight at the 2020 Auto Expo, Now Kia’s announcement of a global unveil on the August 7th, has made us more enthralled. The concept did look promising and we cannot wait to see how Kia has managed to translate the concept into the real-world production model.
The sub-4 m SUV is scheduled to be launched sometime around September 2020.
Expectations
What features can it get?
Going by the facts that it is all set to battle it out in one of the most competitive auto markets segment and also it carries the Kia badging, Sonet is expected to come loaded up to the brim.
To name some of the most premium feature inclusions, the Sonet will most likely get the Kia Seltos sourced, large 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment, UVO connected tech mobile application, a sunroof, a premium music system, wireless phone charger, and a host of important safety features as well.
What will it be like on the exterior?
We know, that the Sonet will share its underpinnings from its cousin Hyundai Venue but as far as the leaks and concept suggest, Kia has managed to pull out a significantly distinct design, which will mean that the Sonet gets an impressive personality completely different from Venue.
As far as the overall design profile is concerned, the production-spec Sonet can be expected to highly replicate the concept unveiled at the Auto Expo. The face will feature the signature ‘Tiger Nose’ Kia grille up front, the grille along with the LED Headlights, a muscular bonnet and flared wheel arches will add to the SUVish appeal of the car. Even at the rear, the car will get pronounced LED tail-lights.
What Engine and gearbox combination will it get?
Kia Sonet is expected to get the mechanicals from the Hyundai Venue. It means that Sonet is expected to be offered with a 1.2L naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 1.5L diesel engine and a 1.0 L turbocharged petrol engine.
As far as the gearbox is concerned, 1.2L petrol is likely to offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox and the same gearbox can also be offered with the 1.5L diesel engine variants.
The diesel engine of Sonet can get the choice of a 6-speed automatic which will helps it to raise it hands up and take the charge ahead of Venue, as the latter does not get the choice of an automatic gearbox with the diesel mill.
The latest talk of the town iMT (clutchless-manual) gearbox which is all set to be launched with the Venue will also be offered with Sonet, handling power transmission duties with the Turbocharged 1.0L engine .The same engine will also be offered with the choice of a 7-speed DCT and the same 6-speed manual which is expected to be standard across the range.
Summarising engine-gearbox combinations which are likely to be offered with Sonet:-
|
Expected Engine Option |
Expected Gearbox Combinations |
|
1.2 L Naturally aspirated Petrol |
6-speed manual |
|
1.5 L Naturally aspirated Diesel |
6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic |
|
1.0 L Turbocharged Petrol |
6-speed manual, 6-speed-iMT, 7-speed DCT |
Expected Prices
The top-trim on offer with the Sonet will most likely be offered at a premium over the Venue purely due to the fact that Kia is planning to offer a diesel automatic with the Sonet. Hence the creamier variants might also overlap with its elder sibling Seltos’s price range but Kia is planning to provide the buyers with the luxury of choosing from a number of different configurations, as per the buyer’s convenience.
The Sonet can be expected to retail in a price range of Rs 7-12 Lakhs.
Kia expects the Sonet to perform brilliantly well in India
With the aim of raking up annual sales figure in excess of 70,000 Kia hopes that Sonet will be a big hit in the country. With their hopes riding high, Sonet has already announced an additional investment of approximately Rs 400 Crores in order to step up the manufacturing operations at the Anantapur manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh.
Kia expects that the additional investment will help the Korean giant boost the production capabilities (Up by 100-150k from 300k per annum) and cater positively to the rising demands.
Author’s Take
Every now and then, we have heavily emphasised on the fact that the compact sub-4m SUV space is one of the most competitive car segment. With strong players like Hyundai Venue, Maruti Vitara Brezza leading the charts. Other offerings like Tata Nexon and Ford EcoSport doing decently well. Soon Renault Kiger, Toyota Urban Cruiser and Nissan Magnite will also become members of this segment.
Kia has established its identity as a strong contender in India. Hence, we have high hopes from Sonet. It is definitely a car to watch out for!
