” The Power to Surprise “
Kia Motors Corporation, commonly known as Kia Motors is the South Korea’s second-largest automobile manufacturer, following the Hyundai Motors. It was founded in December 1944 and is 75 years old.
KIA made a very strong entry into India with it’s debut product Seltos. They received around 96450 bookings and has delivered more than 43600 units till date.
KIA Motors’s Greenfield manufacturing plant in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh from where it had rolled out Seltos has really made them a leader in the mid-size sports utility vehicle.
“We have a robust plan for India, and the launch of new models and technologies will help us maintain the positive momentum that we have enjoyed to-date,” said Kookhyun Shim, Managing Director and CEO of Kia India.
KIA’s Expected Car Lineup at the Auto Expo 2020
- KIA Carnival
Here comes the Toyato Innova Crysta’s rival, the all-new KIA Carnival MPV ( Mulit-purpose Vehicle ) to be launched at the auto expo 2020. Though it is expected to be priced a bit higher than the BS6 version Innova Crysta, the KIA Carnival is slightly larger and far more premium MPV.
India-bound KIA Carnival MPV will be offered in 7-, 8- and 9-seat configurations as KIA Carnival – Premium, Prestige and Limousine respectively. The top-spec Limousine variant comes with 2nd Row Luxury VIP Seats with leg support, premium Nappa leather seat upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, premium wood garnish, 18-inch sputtering finish alloy wheels, and high line tyre pressure monitoring system.
It is expected to be powered by a BS6 compliant 2.2-litre VGT diesel engine that is tuned to offer 197 bhp at 3,800 rpm and develops a peak torque of 440 Nm between 1500 to 2750 rpm with 8-speed Sportsmatic automatic transmission.
- Kia Optima ( K5 Sedan )
KIA’s owner Hyundai has already received a very good response with their new premium sedan Elantra. We can also expect the same success story with KIA’s Optima sedan. It is expected to be powered by a 2.0L MPI petrol engine producing 163 PS of power at 6500 RPM and 196 Nm of torque at 4800 RPM with 6-speed automatic transmission.
Kia Optima will compete with Hyundai Elantra, Toyato Camry and Skoda Superb and Honda Accord.
- KIA Soul EV
KIA Soul EV is a funky looking SUV type model with KIA’s distinct “Tiger Nose” Grille. It is expected to be powered by 60kWh battery which will produce 204PS and 395Nm ( upto 3600rpm of max torque ). It is claimed to return a range of approximately 485 kms on a full charge.
Inside the car, it will get its version of KIA’s UVO ( Your Voice – UVO is the latest evolution in connected car technology and infotainment. It lets you seamlessly connect your smartphone or smartwatch with the KIA cars ) infotainment system on a 10.3-inch touchscreen and with four driving modes – Eco, Normal, Sport and Eco+ which will alter the power supply to the traction meter, braking and air conditioning.
KIA Soul EV will compete against Hyundai Kona Electirc ( big brother ) and TATA Nexon EV.
- KIA QYI ( Sonet ) aka. Baby Seltos
KIA Sonet is their sub-compact 4 meter SUV. It might have four engine options: a 83PS, 1.2L MPI naturally-aspirated, 4-cylinder petrol, a 120PS, 1.0L T-GDI turbocharged, 3-cylinder petrol, a 123PS, 1.6L MPI naturally-aspirated, 4-cylinder petrol and a 90PS, 1.4L CRDi turbo diesel and transmission choices might include a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed manual, a 7-speed automatic and a CVT automatic ( source -www.indiacarnews.com )
KIA QYI ( Sonet ) will compete against multiple sub-compact brand cars including Hyundai Venue, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport and Mahindra XUV3oo, Honda WR-V and Renault Triber.
What do you think about KIA’s lineup at the Auto Expo 2020 ? Let me know in the comments below.
Superb news for car lovers.. Actually Kia has acheived their own place in automobile industry in India, and Seltos one of the premium mid range car which is preferred by most of the people nowadays because of brands like the Hyundai Creta and Suzuki Vitara Breeza have failed to give that premium touch.
Thanks for your recognition Paul Clinton. Yes, you are right. Even though they both have a reputation of producing good quality vehicles, KIA is focusing more on Premium interiors and finish than Hyundai.