Kia expands its EV lineup with the EV9 and upcoming Sonet EV, expected to launch in India by mid-2025.
Kia had showcased its flagship electric car known as the EV9 to India recently. This will be the second EV by Kia Motors in the Indian market after the Kia EV6. Kia is on the brink of diversifying its portfolio with a line of upcoming mass-market EVs, one of which is the Sonet EV.
Sonet EV Spotted Testing in India
Test mules of Kia Sonet EV have made rounds on Indian roads, however, they are widely masked enough to hide their overall design. Even though they are largely concealed, some elements borrowed from the design philosophy of the Sonet are clearly discernible. It is expected that the dimensions will be on the same paradigm as the present structure. When watching, the viewers pointed out that the prototype did not have any engine sound, and it did not have tailpipes, which showed that it was an electric vehicle.
Interestingly, the pictures do not give much detail into the matter but there is a probability that the rear bumper could get exclusive design for EVs. The Sonet has already been a popular SUV in India and the Hyundai Motor Company has offered it with petrol and diesel engines. The transition into an EV is anticipated to be similar to what Tata Motors did to the Nexon EV.
Expected Release and Specifications
The proper electric version of the Sonet EV is likely to hit the market by mid-2025 and will rival the Tata Nexon EV and Mahindra XUV400. As of the current updates, the official details have not been released, owing to which, the expected range on the Sonet EV is expected to be more than 450 km per charge. They will probably include standard-range and long-range models.
Potential exterior changes could be an EV-specific grille, new low resistance wheels and exclusive shades. Inside, there should be minor changes to most of the shapes and a new design of the new generation of the infotainment system. Other options available may be a 10.2-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, a Bose premium sound system, ventilating front seats, a panoramic sunroof and a Level-1 Advanced Driver Assist System.
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