Automobile Desk – In view of the ever increasing demand for hybrid vehicles in the Indian automobile market, South Korean car manufacturer Kia is now getting ready with a new vision. Kia is planning to expand its hybrid lineup in India amid high prices of petrol and diesel and limited availability of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EV). In the coming years, the company is planning to launch many strong hybrid models in the Indian market ranging from premium SUV to compact and MPV segments.
Sorento Hybrid may debut
Kia’s hybrid journey on Indian roads is likely to start from the premium segment. The company is preparing to launch its globally popular SUV Kia Sorento Hybrid in India. This car will mainly attract those customers who want better mileage along with premium features. This flagship model is expected to be equipped with a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine with strong hybrid technology, which will come with a 6-speed automatic transmission. In the Indian market, it will compete with established vehicles like Skoda Kodiaq.
Popular Seltos will get the support of strong hybrid
Kia Seltos, one of the best-selling SUVs in India, is also now being considered to be introduced in a new avatar with a hybrid engine. Currently, this vehicle is available in petrol and diesel options, but considering the increasing dominance of hybrid vehicles like Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyrider, Kia can provide a strong hybrid system based on 1.5-liter petrol engine in it. With the combination of electric motor and battery pack, this car will not only provide excellent pickup, but will also see a tremendous increase in its mileage.
New technology will also be added to Carens MPV
Hybrid powertrain can also be included in Kia Carens and its upcoming variants, which have made a strong hold in the family car and MPV segment. For families traveling long distances and for commercial use, the availability of a 1.5-litre hybrid engine in this 6/7-seater vehicle will prove to be a big plus point. This will significantly reduce the running costs of the car, which is the main priority for Indian MPV buyers.
Sonet Hybrid: New mileage option in compact segment
Kia does not want to loosen its grip even in the sub-4 meter i.e. compact SUV segment. The company is testing and planning a hybrid powertrain in the next generation model of Sonet. According to initial information, it can be given a 1.2-litre petrol-based strong hybrid setup. This step will be extremely beneficial for the drivers driving in the heavy traffic of the city, because in low-speed hybrid mode, the vehicle runs mostly on electric power, which doubles the fuel savings.
Why is the trend increasing towards hybrid instead of electric?
According to auto experts, challenges like lack of charging stations and range anxiety remain in adopting fully electric vehicles (EVs). In such a situation, the strong hybrid technology provides the customers with the best balance of excellent mileage and low emissions without any external charging. This new strategy of Kia will directly challenge giants like Toyota and Maruti Suzuki in the Indian market.
