Teamautotrend

Kia New 7 Seat MPV - Toyota Innova Crysta Rival?

by admin | December 18, 2020

Kia New MPV

The Kia Carnival premium MPV was launched earlier this year as Kia’s flagship model in India. However, now Kia motors India is developing a new mid size MPV to be positioned below the Toyota Innova Crysta.

This new mid-size family MPV will be based on the Kia Seltos’ platform with better crash protection and extended dimensions. This new MPV will be positioned between the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga (4,395mm in length) and Toyota Innova Crysta (4,735mm in length), and will directly rival the Mahindra Marazzo (4,585mm in length) in terms of dimensions and positioning. This new MPV is likely to have both 7 and 8 seat options.

Exterior:

Exterior design is likely to include the front fascia similar to the Seltos, featuring sharp LED headlamps and LED fog lamps. The signature” Tiger-nose grille will also feature the knurled Chrome finish. The proportions are expected to be spot on for this new MPV and is also expected to feature split LED tail lamps. 16 or 17 inch alloy wheels are expected too.

Interior:

The interior of this new MPV will also carry forward a lot of design elements and materials from the Seltos and the Carnival. Similar to the Seltos and the Sonet, a large touchscreen is expected to be the mounted on the dash top, while being connected to a colour instrument cluster.

Features:

In terms of features, the new Kia MPV will be fully-loaded with equipment from the Kia Sonet and Seltos as well. Here are the expected features:

Leather wrap steering
TFT colour instrument cluster
Cruise control
Auto headlamps
10.25” Touchscreen
UVO connected car tech
Auto climate control
Rear AC vents
Leather upholstery
Smart key access
Easy fold rear seats
Electric sunroof
Rear seat Sun blinds
Powered tailgate
Wireless charger
360 degree camera

Engines:

Similar to the Seltos, the new MPV is expected to get a 1.5L petrol and a 1.5L diesel engine. Both engines are likely to produce an identical 115PS of Max Power. While the petrol engine is likely to get a CVT option, the diesel range is also expected to offer a torque converter automatic transmission apart from the standard 6 speed manual.

Safety:

Since the Kia Seltos scored a rather disappointing 3 stars at the Global NCAP crash tests, the new MPV is likely to feature better strengthening and crash protection. Apart from standard safety features such as dual airbags and ABS, the new MPV is expected to include the following:

6 airbags on top Variants
ESP
Traction control
Hill hold control
All wheel disc brakes
Smart key access
UVO connect assist
360 degree camera

Launch and pricing:

Since the Maruti Ertiga is available only with a petrol engine for now, and the Mahindra Marazzo gets only a 1.5-litre diesel engine, this might be a good opportunity to cash in on the MPV segment by offering both options with great features at competitive prices.

This new MPV is expected to be launched later in 2021 and will compete against all 7 seat MPVs including the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, the XL6, the Mahindra Marazzo and the Toyota Innova Crysta. The higher Variants may also compete with the new MG Hector plus.

Stay tuned for further updates.

Related News

Ford Ranger Raptor India Launch Confirmed

Nissan Magnite Compact SUV - All You Need To Know

Tata Safari Launched in India at 14.69 Lakh

Tata Tiago BS6 Service Intervel Extended from 6 Month to 1 Year!

Tata Tiago was first launched in 2016. Since then it has been one of key models in transforming Tata motors images in the market. The BS6 facelift model was launched earlier this year and almost immediately established itself as a favourite entry-level hatchback in India. However, the Tiago had a service schedule of every 6 months or 7500kms; whichever comes earlier. But now, Tata motors extended the service interval of the Tiago to one year or 15,000kms.

As a result of this, all BS6 Tiago owners can get their cars serviced once a year instead of every six months as before.

However, it should be noted that the revised service schedule is applicable for the BS6 Tata Tiago only and doesn’t apply for the pre facelifted models.

Warranty:

The facelifted BS6 Tiago has a standard warranty of 2 years/ 75,000 km, whichever is earlier. An extended warranty is available which is valid upto either 3 years/ 75,000 km or 4years/ 1 L km or 5 years/ 1.25 L km.

The popular Tata Tiago entry level hatchback comes with only a BS6-compliant 1.2L Revotron 3cylinder petrol engine which produces 86PS of max power and 113Nm of peak torque through either a 5-speed manual or AMT gearbox.

The BS6 Tiago is priced from ?4.7L to ?6.74L (ex-showroom) and competes against the likes of Maruti Wagon R, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and others in the entry-level hatchback segment.

Jeep Compass BS6 and upcoming facelift version!

Jeep has updated its Compass model in India by giving it BS-6 compliant engines, including an automatic gearbox option but in terms of looks, much remains the same. Prices of the updated Compass start at 16.49 Lakh Rupees. The 1.4 Litre Turbo Petrol Engine with 163 HP and a 2.0 Litre Turbo diesel with 173 HP powers this popular SUV.

News is that the Jeep Compass will soon receive updates in the guise of a facelift variant that will have updated headlights, updated front grille and bumpers. Changes to the interiors are also on the cards including an all new Infotainment

System called the UConnect 5. Apart from having Android Auto and Apple Car Play, this connected Infotainment System also features Amazon Alexa and can receive updates over the air. In terms of size, the screen size goes up to a massive 12.3 inches which would be one of the highest in class if introduced in India. It has become a rather popular trend in SUVs that sport large Infotainment screens.

The refreshed look could appeal to buyers in the premium SUV segment. The facelifted Jeep Compass would compete with MG Hector, Hyundai Creta 2020 Kia Seltos, Skoda Karoq and the Volkswagen T-Roc.

We also hear that there is also a seven- seater Compass based SUV in the pipeline which is expected to compete with Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Mahindra Alturas G4 and Isuzu MU-X but will most likely be introduced early next year.

Stay tuned for further update and please follow us on WhatsApp , Instagram and YouTube.

Kia Picanto 2020: Will it come to India?

But what about hatchbacks? Well, they’re still in demand too and we think they still would be in the near future. After all, small, affordable and peppy cars are always good in have in congested cities. Speaking of small cars, the Kia Picanto has made quite a name since its launch a few years ago. Also known as ‘ Kia Morning’ in many countries, the Picanto is available in three engine options, funky colours and a few of the so called attractive features.

Based on the Hyundai i10 platform internationally, the Picanto is quite similar in size to that of the

i10 making it look like one too, if you look closely from different angles. But that’s possible only if you have a keen eye. The 2020 avatar of the Picanto has many aesthetic changes made to it which make it a bit overwhelming for a small car.

The front end gets a new chrome ‘Tiger Nose’ grille, LED projector headlamps, a redesigned bumper with a new place for the fog lights and bigger air dams. Overall, we think Kia has tried to make the Picanto look a bit aggressive but the front actually looks like there’s too much happening there all at the same time. A bit cramped of sorts.

The rear and sides too don’t miss out on the 2020 updates. The rear bumper gets a diffuser, taillights are now LED and the alloy wheels get a new design. Yes, we know, it looks like it has fake exhausts. The look at the back is opposite from what’s happening in the front. There’s lots of space the designers could fill stuff in. Or not, perhaps.

Speaking of the interior, most things looked the same as the earlier models except for a few additions that would make it a highly attractive package in India. A large eight- inch touch screen Infotainment System with UVO connectivity suite, automatic AC, push button start- stop, an electric sunroof, ventilated front seats and a semi digital instrument panel with a 4.2 inch multi- information display. As keen drivers, we liked the electric sunroof bit the most.

Speaking of the heart of the matter, the Kia Picanto comes with three engine options- a 1.0 litre three cylinder naturally aspirated engine churning out 75 bhp and 95NM of torque, a four cylinder 1.2 litre engine making around 85 bhp and lastly, a 1.0 litre three cylinder turbo petrol engine producing 99 bhp. That’s a lot of choice for a small car! The three cylinder motors however get only a 5 speed manual gearbox whereas the four cylinder motor gets the option of a 4- speed automatic.

Safety too isn’t compromised. It has what most modern small hatchbacks come with- seven airbags, ABS, EBD, reverse parking assist, and many other features which we may not see in India even if the car is launched soon. The seven airbags option is also a great start in terms of safety for a small car like the Picanto and we do hope to see it if at all the car is launched in India.

Speaking of the Kia Picanto launch in India, Kia has expressed that it isn’t keen on entering the hatchback segment in India yet, especially when it is currently focussing on bringing the compact SUV Kia Sonet into India soon. But with times changing quickly, you may see the Picanto on Indian roads sooner than expected. Or, maybe not so soon. Well, only time will tell in case you’ve been waiting for this hatchback.