After a massive hit of its maiden product, Seltos, the all-new smart urban compact SUV Sonet, has been introduced to meet the growing demand fueled by millennial and Gen Z consumers in the segment. Sonet was showcased in the Auto Expo this year in Delhi.
 
The pilot production for Sonet has been successfully conducted, and now the new car will be manufactured in the Andhra Pradesh plant. It will also be used as an export hub to export Sonet in various countries.  

“KiaMotors continues to be recognised globally through products which offer exquisite design and world-class quality, along with ‘The Power to Surprise.’ Everything about the all-new Sonet is uniquely Kia and is sure to delight both drivers and passengers,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia Motors Corporation.

Song also anticipated that growth in the SUV segment is expected to continue in 2020 and beyond.
 
Inspired by a baby elephant, the Sonet design makes it a powerful, sports and
compact SUV.  At the front, Kia tried to be more powerful with its brand’s signature design trait – the Kia ‘tiger-nose’ grille. Flanked by ‘heart beat’ LED DRLs and stylish front skid plates below, the wild nature of the Sonet comes alive. Within the tiger-nose grille, with its classy chrome and diamond knurling pattern, is the distinctive grille mesh featuring a three-dimensional geometric design inspired by India’s iconic stepwells.

The Sonet’s lighting makes it stand out from everything else in this segment. Jewel-like LED headlamps frame the ‘face’ of the car, with ‘heart beat’ LED DRLs with integrated indicators and similar LED tail lamps make the Sonet’s wild personality come alive through its design.Furthermore, the Sonet is offered with up to eight monotone and three dual-tone exterior colour options.

For the interior, the company tries to give natural feel inside and connect people emotionally to the car. It has 10.25 inch HD touchscreen with infotainment and navigation system which does not allow the driver to remove his or her eyes off the road. It also has UVO ‘connected car’ technology, with a range of 56 features for owners offering convenience, remote control, navigation, safety, security and vehicle management.  Additionally, the 4.2-inch (10.66 cm) instrument cluster presents important information to the driver in vivid colour and clarity, such as turn-by-turn navigation instructions, highline Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and drive mode and traction mode selection.

With a choice of three engines and five transmissions, there is an engine-transmission combination for virtually every customer need in this segment. Two petrol engines – a versatile Smartstream 1.2-liter four-cylinder and powerful 1.0 T-GDi – and an efficient 1.5-liter CRDi diesel engine are offered.
 
The Sonet comes with five transmission options: five- and six-speed manuals, an intuitive seven-speed DCT, six-speed automatic, and Kia’s revolutionary new six-speed Smartstream intelligent manual transmission. Additionally, automatic variants of the Sonet offer Multi-Drive and Traction Modes for added convenience, driver-confidence and safety.

Sonet offers first-in-class diesel six-speed automatic, alongside a wide choice of powertrains. Offered in sporty GT-Line specification, for the first time in the segment

It has the Smartstream six-speed iMT which gives less driver fatigue. With iMT, the driver does not needs to use a clutch pedal, especially in stop-go traffic. It also gives  Longer clutch life and Smoother ride.

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Hyundai has selected Continental's PremiumContact C tyre as original equipment for its all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 9 SUV. This 21-inch tyre carries an XL marking, signifying its enhanced load capacity, a critical feature for supporting the substantial weight of an electric SUV. The design includes a rim protection rib to help prevent damage to the vehicle's wheels.

As a premium summer tyre developed for robust SUVs, the PremiumContact C combines safety, comfort and durability. Its more robust construction directly addresses the need for a higher load-bearing capacity. An innovative tread pattern, which incorporates adaptive sipe technology, is central to its performance, providing precise handling and reliable grip on both dry and wet road surfaces, even under full load. Furthermore, an extended contact patch promotes optimal pressure distribution against the road, contributing to shorter braking distances and reduced rolling noise.

A key feature for the IONIQ 9 is the integration of ContiSilent technology. This innovation actively dampens road noise within the passenger cabin, reducing intrusive sound levels by up to nine decibels for a noticeably quieter and more comfortable driving experience. This specific tyre line, sized 285/45 R21 113 V XL FR ContiSilent, has received original equipment approval for the vehicle across numerous global markets.

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Hankook Tire has been chosen as the original equipment manufacturer for the Volkswagen Tiguan and Tayron SUV models, fitting them with its Ventus evo SUV tyre. This partnership covers a wide range of specifications, with six different tyre sizes from 17 to 20 inches available for the immensely popular Tiguan and five sizes for the five or seven-seater Tayron crossover. A key identifier for these specially developed tyres is a circled plus sign on the sidewall, signifying they are built to Volkswagen’s precise standards and are approved for factory installation on new vehicles.

The collaborative development process, centred at the Hankook Tire Technology Center in Hannover, prioritised a harmonious blend of comfort and dynamic performance. A major focus throughout the design phase was achieving the lowest possible noise level. Through meticulous tread design and an innovative compound in the tread material, the Ventus evo SUV attains a noise level below 66 decibels. This performance is crucial, as it helps the overall vehicle meet Volkswagen's strict maximum noise requirement of 68 decibels, significantly enhancing cabin quietness.

Further technical hallmarks of these premium tyres include Opti Pitch and Kerf designs, which work to minimise road noise. The implementation of Dual Pitch technology varies the number of tread blocks on the inner and outer sections of the tyre, a feature that enhances steering precision during cornering while also contributing to a quieter ride. Engineers carefully calibrated the tread height to ensure these acoustic benefits do not come at the expense of critical performance areas such as traction, braking, cornering stability or the tyre’s overall lifespan.

Final validation of the Ventus evo SUV involved rigorous testing that extended beyond laboratory simulations to demanding real-world tracks, including the challenging Nürburgring Nordschleife. This extensive testing protocol confirmed the capabilities of all tyre sizes. Furthermore, Hankook tailored the driving character of the tyres by size; the 17-, 18- and 19-inch variants are engineered for superior comfort, while the 20-inch version offers a distinctly sportier feel. Production for the European market is handled at Hankook’s manufacturing facility in Rácalmás, Hungary.

Klaus Krause, Vice President and Head of Europe Technical Centre at Hankook Tire, said, “The provision of original equipment for the two SUV models Tiguan and Tayron is further proof that the Volkswagen Group considers Hankook Tire one of its top development partners in the tyre sector. We have succeeded in perfectly matching our premium summer tyre, Ventus evo SUV, in every tyre size to the driving characteristics of the two models and achieved our goal of combining the requirements for high comfort over long distances with a sporty character.”

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Sumitomo Rubber Industries has announced that its Thailand-based affiliate will provide original equipment tyres for the newly unveiled Toyota Hilux Travo. The vehicle will be fitted with the specially optimised Dunlop Grandtrek A/T31 tyres.

These tyres were meticulously engineered to meet the demanding and varied conditions the Hilux Travo is expected to encounter. Through enhancements to their shape, internal structure and tread pattern, the tyres achieve a refined balance of travel performance, durability and comfort. A newly developed compound and a unique tread block sequence work in concert to deliver capable on-road and off-road performance while also ensuring quiet operation.

Furthermore, the dedicated tyre design aims for improved fuel efficiency and reliable handling on wet road surfaces.

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Continental said it is supplying a range of summer and winter tyres for Porsche’s all-electric Macan, with the SUV offered with the SportContact 6 for high-performance driving, the CrossContact RX for comfort and all-season use, and the WinterContact TS 860 S for winter conditions.

All tyres feature the XL marking, indicating increased load capacity. The models approved for the Macan carry Porsche’s “NE0” sidewall designation.

The SportContact 6, part of Continental’s ultra-ultra-high-performance segment, is designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h. The company said engineers optimised the compound, tread and construction to deliver “exceptional grip and outstanding safety at high speeds”. The tyre features a newly developed reinforcement structure and a tread designed to maximise force transmission.

The CrossContact RX, aimed at drivers prioritising comfort and reduced road noise, combines a specialised tread and siping design with groove geometry intended to improve water clearance and reduce aquaplaning risk. Depending on specification, it is approved for speeds up to 270 km/h, with Macan-specific versions rated V (up to 240 km/h).

For winter use, Porsche recommends the WinterContact TS 860 S, which Continental said provides “maximum control, stability and driving enjoyment” for sports-oriented vehicles. The tyre is engineered to manage instant torque from electric powertrains and features low rolling resistance to help extend driving range.

Continental supplies original-equipment tyres to most of Porsche’s line-up, including the Taycan, Cayenne and Panamera.

Approved tyre sizes for the Macan include:

• SportContact 6 NE0: 295/40 R21 111Y XL; 255/45 R21 106Y XL
• CrossContact RX NE0: 295/35 R22 108V XL; 255/40 R22 103V XL; 295/40 R21 111V XL; 255/45 R21 106V XL; 285/45 R20 112V XL; 235/55 R20 105V XL
• WinterContact TS 860 S NE0: 295/35 R22 108V XL; 255/40 R22 103V XL; 285/40 R21 109V XL; 255/45 R21 106V XL

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