Kia Tusker/Kia Trazor (production Kia SP Concept) launch advanced to April 2019 - Report

15/09/2018 - 10:08 | ,   | Yatharth Chauhan

Car and Bike reports that Kia Motors India plans to advance the launch of the Kia Tusker/Kia Trazor (production Kia SP Concept) from early August 2019 to April 2019. It may be noted here that Han-Woo Park, President, Kia Motors had earlier confirmed that the production of the new model would start by mid-2019.

Kia SP Concept front three quarters left side at Auto Expo 2018
The launch of the Kia SP Concept-based SUV was initially scheduled in the festive season next year, but the report says that Kia is 60 days ahead of schedule with the plant construction.

Kia Motors India, which is in the process of setting up its first manufacturing facility at Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, is reportedly planning to commence trial production in early-2019 as it is ahead of schedule 60 days at the plant. The Kia Tusker (production-spec Kia SP Concept) was initially set to launch by Diwali next year. The new plant will have an annual production capacity of 3 lakh vehicles.

The production version of the Kia SP Concept won't look too different from the design study showcased at the Auto Expo 2018. A spy video that surfaced from Korea recently showed similarities in the high beltline and squarish wheel arches. That said, the greenhouse won't be as sleek, and the front-end will feature a toned-down version of the concept's 'Tiger' nose.

Underpinning the Kia Trazor will be the platform used for the next generation Hyundai Creta. The platform can be used for a seven-seater, and hence, Kia can consider coming up with a three-row derivative of the Tusker in case the SUV receives a high demand. Powering the new SUV could be a new 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel with 115 hp of maximum power, and a 1.0-litre T-GDI turbo-petrol motor with a peak power output of 118 hp. Both the powerplants will be manufactured locally. The new model is unlikely to get optional AWD.

Kia SP Concept rear
Kia Motors has already said that it won't be indulging in price wars with Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai.

Also Read: Kia India signs LOIs with 50 dealers, targets 100 by July 2019 at Tusker's launch

Kia will position itself as a premium car brand, and prices of the Kia Tusker could be slightly higher than those of the Hyundai Creta.

[Source - auto.ndtv.com]

You might also like