In July, Kia Motor introduced the Kia Stonic, its new small SUV. This model was not expected in India due to cost concerns, but Hyundai Motor Group’s design chief hints otherwise.
In an interview with Autocar India, Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer, Hyundai Motor Group, said that the Kia Stonic would suit the India market very well.
He said:
We recently introduced the Stonic, a unique car with a lot of character, in Europe and Korea, and I think it will fit very well here.
The same publication in its report says that Kia could follow Renault’s strategy by offering the same SUV from developed markets in India, but on a low-cost platform.
The Kia Stonic is 4,140 mm long, 1,760 mm wide and 1,520 mm tall. It is available with 1.0-litre T-GDi petrol turbocharged petrol (120 PS/172 Nm), 1.25-litre MPI naturally aspirated petrol (84 PS/122 Nm), 1.4-litre MPI naturally aspirated petrol (100 PS/133 Nm) and 1.6-litre CRDi turbocharged diesel (110 PS/260 Nm) engines. Transmission choices include 5-speed manual and 6-speed manual. Kia is re-engineering its 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for the small SUV. This option will follow in 2018.
Also Read: Kia to enter Indian market in 2019 with sub-4m SUV
Kia will manufacture its vehicles in India in a new factory in Andhra Pradesh. Production is set to commence in the second half of 2019.
[Source: Autocar India]
