The brand new mannequin will be part of the Sonet and Seltos in Kia’s ever-expanding vary of small SUVs
December 21, 2023 at 07:25
It seems that the insatiable urge for food for SUVs is aware of no certain, with automakers dispensing a unending lineup of similarly-sized fashions. Enter Kia, rumored to be cooking up one other crossover for its lineup in India and different markets around the globe. This one goes to be a sub-compact mannequin, measuring underneath 4 meters (157.5 inches), and it’s set to put on the Clavis moniker.
The rumors first surfaced when Kia trademarked the title ‘Clavis’ for the Indian market earlier this month. Though the trademark submitting on December 12 doesn’t specify the physique type of the potential mannequin, native media experiences counsel it is going to be an SUV. Unnamed sources from India point out that the Kia Clavis will function a boxy and rugged design, though there are conflicting rumors concerning its market positioning.
Extra: New Hyundai Exter Breaks Cowl In India As A Small, Reasonably priced SUV
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Autocar India means that the Kia Clavis will bridge the hole between the not too long ago facelifted Sonet and Seltos. An ICE-powered model will reportedly be out there at launch, with an EV possibility added afterward. The publication says that gross sales of the mannequin will begin in early 2025, though a debut might happen in 2024.
Different sources, together with the Monetary Categorical, counsel that the Kia Clavis might be a sibling to the Hyundai Exter. The latter made its debut in 2023 as a small SUV, measuring 3,815 mm (150.2 inches) in size and sharing its platform and 1.2-liter powertrains (each gasoline and bi-fuel) with the i10 Nios/Aura. If the Kia Clavis is constructed on the identical urban-focused structure, it might doubtlessly be smaller than the Kia Sonet and the similarly-sized Kia Stonic out there in different markets.
With none official affirmation or spy pictures of the Kia Clavis, we are able to solely speculate about its design and specs. In any case, judging from the rising demand for small and sub-compact SUVs in lots of elements of the world, likelihood is that the brand new mannequin may even be provided in rising markets exterior India.
