Hybrid versions of Kia Sorento and Kia Carnival would mark their debut as hybrid cars in India from South Korean auto manufacturer Kia Motors. The cars have been designed to cater to families.
Having established itself in the compact and mid-SUV segments, Kia Motors is planning on expanding in higher segments. The company has announced two upcoming large models in the international market, which are set to be launched within this year. Both vehicles are set to come in the hybrid form during the latter half of this year.
First among the two upcoming large cars by Kia is the Sorento, which competes with the Hyundai Santa Fe in the international market. The D-segment SUV has the measurements of 4,815 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, 1,695 mm in height, and 2,815 mm in wheelbase. In terms of seat configuration, the Sorento comes in five, six, and seven-seat forms. While Kia offers the 7-seat form overseas, the Indian market can either have it in seven or six seats.
Whereas other carmakers tend to import cars from such segments in knocked down kit form or CBU, Kia Motors plans to produce it within the country. This will be a segment first, but what sets this project apart is the plan to make it a hybrid model.
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In terms of internationally offered engines in Kia’s line-up, the Sorento Hybrid offers a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol and electric motor combination. The Indian car manufacturer has yet not localised the first and, if at all it were to do so, it may turn out to be very costly for buyers in India. It is expected that it may use its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine as a replacement, which is also locally produced by the carmaker for the Seltos and Carens/Carens Clavis.
The luxury offerings in the Hyundai Sonata hybrid will be immense. The top-spec variants of this hybrid crossover SUV can be expected to have options such as 14-way power and memory-enabled seats with ventilating capability, 10-way power-operated front passenger seat with ventilation, ventilating second row of seats, digital IRVM, power gesture control operated tailgate with auto-closing feature, ten airbags, and various ADAS features.
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The next vehicle will be the Kia Carnival Hybrid, which most probably will be imported in CBU form. This hybrid MPV features a 1.6 litre, turbocharged petrol engine coupled with an electric motor that runs parallel to each other in the front axle position. The petrol engine delivers 180 PS (178 hp) and 27.0 kgf.m (265 Nm) of torque while the electric motor delivers 54 kW (74 hp) and 304 Nm of torque. Transmission is handled through a 6-speed automatic transmission system.
Kia Carnival Hybrid MPV boasts fuel efficiency in terms of up to 14.0 km/l in South Korea. In South Korea, the company offers 7- and 9-seater variants of the vehicle, but in India, it might just sell the 7-seater variant.
