Kia Motors India, wholly owned subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation, on Monday introduced two new products for the Indian market at the Auto Expo 2020.
Alongside the aspirational and sophisticated Kia Carnival premium MPV, now tailored for the Indian market, Kia also unveiled the new Sonet concept at the show.
The Kia Sonet, unveiled for the first time ever, previews a future global compact SUV from the brand. The concept will be developed further ahead of a launch in the Indian market in the second half of 2020.
The Carnival has been officially launched in India in three different specifications (Premium, Prestige, and Limousine), and is designed to resonate with young-at-heart, trendy and elite Indian buyers. Kia received more than 1,400 bookings for the new car on the first day of orders, with a total of more than 3,500 bookings received to-date.
Mr. Kookhyun Shim, MD and CEO for Kia Motors India, said “When Kia launched in India two years ago, we came here to win the hearts of Indian customers. Today, I can say that our approach – to do more than simply build and sell great cars here – is bearing fruit. We have sought to understand Indian customers’ aspirations, and match them with best-in-class products and services. Our latest vehicle, the Kia Carnival, is a clear example of this approach. Though it represents a leap up from the Seltos, into a premium, aspirational segment, it has been devised with the same passion.
The Kia Sonet: a modern, dynamic and bold compact SUV concept
The Kia Sonet concept, revealed for the first time today, previews the third product offering from Kia Motors in India. Targeted at a demographic that is always connected to the world in more ways than one, the Sonet is designed to exceed customers’ lifestyle and technology expectations.
With a modern, dynamic and bold design, the Sonet is equipped with several first-in-class features. These include head-turning looks, Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille, stepwell geometry within the grille mesh, ‘tiger-eyeline’ daytime running lights, and wide rear signature lighting.
Inside, Sonet is made for the young, social, connected, tech-savvy Indian. The cabin is fitted with a 10.25-inch infotainment and navigation system with UVO Connect, a Bose premium audio system, and an intelligent manual transmission (iMT). The Kia Sonet concept also hints at best-in-class interior space, and certain first-in-class features especially crafted for the Indian consumers.
The Sonet is testament to Kia’s focus on consumer insight-driven product innovation and orientation. It previews a future compact SUV, due to launch in India in the second half of 2020.
The extravagant Carnival
Launched today for the Indian market, the Carnival is powered by a 2.2-liter VGT BS6 diesel engine, paired with an eight-speed Sportsmatic transmission, a class-leading drivetrain engineered for smooth, effortless performance.
The front of the Carnival displays a wide, upright ‘tiger-nose’ grille and wrap-around LED projection headlamps with LED daytime running lights (DRLs) for an imposing appearance. From the side, its swept-back silhouette is matched by a long bonnet design and an all-round glass area with a ‘floating’ roof. The look is completed with 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the Carnival makes a statement of luxury with VIP Nappa leather seats, dual-panel electric sunroof, dual touchscreen rear seat entertainment, and, at the rear, a Smart Power Tailgate. It also provides advanced technologies to make driving safer, convenient, and enjoyable, with UVO Connect, Kia’s connected car and infotainment system. UVO Connect offers 37 smart features, and is offered free to Indian buyers for three years after initial purchase. Certain UVO features can also be accessed via users’ smartwatches, taking car connectivity to a new level.
The new Carnival premium MPV is now available to order from Kia showrooms across India.
Seltos X-Line Concept
Kia also revealed the rugged new Kia Seltos X-Line Concept, a bolder reinterpretation of the Seltos SUV. The X-Line Concept features a more assertive, rugged front design with a futuristic radiator grille. Further modifications have been made to the front and rear bumpers to make it look more distinguished, as well as the addition of a prominent skid plate, roof rack, and all-terrain-inspired body panels to elevate the personality of the car.
Kia Motors cars at Auto Expo 2020
Building on its mission to innovate for tomorrow’s mobility solutions, Kia showcased 14 products in total from its global portfolio of products. These include the brand’s range of crossovers and electric vehicles, including:
Soul EV
One of Kia’s first globally-sold fully-electric vehicles, the Soul EV has several eye-catching features, and offers long-range, zero-emissions power in the urban crossover class. Powered exclusively by electric energy, the Soul EV gives buyers a choice between mid and long-range battery packs, each offering more power and improved driving range compared to other electric rivals.
Niro EV
Energy and power for the Niro EV come from a cutting-edge, liquid-cooled 64kWh lithium-ion polymer battery and powerful electric motor. The long-range battery, packaged under the floor of the vehicle to maximize cabin space for passengers, gives the Niro EV a range of over 450 kilometers from a single charge.
XCeed
Kia’s latest global sensation, the XCeed, combines compact SUV practicality with the sporty packaging and engaging handling of a hatchback. The XCeed’s suite of advanced safety, connectivity and infotainment technologies make it one of the most high-tech, comprehensively equipped cars in its class.
Stonic
An eye-catching and confident compact CUV, the Stonic blends SUV-inspired design with agile handling and a sporty ride for an exciting drive.
Kia is offering a range of special activities at Auto Expo 2020 to engage visitors. Kia designed a special AR (augmented reality) game, ‘Shoo the Meerkat’, to guide visitors around every corner of the Kia pavilion as they search for clues. In addition, the ‘Me With The Meerkat’ selfie zone lets visitors to the Kia stand make use of their selfie skills with special Meerkat and Tiger AR selfie filters available. A separate zone also exhibits Kia’s more futuristic ‘connected car’ technologies, such as UVO Connect and Smart-Konnect. The DRIVE WiSE virtual reality experience also allows visitors to travel through the past, present and future of mobility.
