Kookhyun Shim, MD and CEO at Kia Motors India said “The aggressive pricing has been arrived at to bring delight and offer incredible value to the young and the young-at-heart customer of the Sonet. As our endeavour has been to ensure there is a Sonet for virtually all customers in this category, it is being offered with the widest choice in this segment.”

The SUV is available across 17 variants, including two petrol engines – Smartstream 1.2-litre four-cylinder and 1.0 T-GDi (turbocharged petrol direct injection), and two 1.5-litre CRDi diesel engine (WGT & VGT configurations). Available in two trim levels - Tech Line and GT-Line, the car comes with five transmission options - five- and six-speed manuals, an intuitive seven-speed DCT, six-speed automatic, and a new six-speed Smartstream intelligent manual transmission (iMT). A technological breakthrough from the company the iMT offers fatigue-free driving thanks to the absence of a clutch pedal, yet the same driver control as a conventional manual transmission. For the first time in this segment, the 1.5 CRDi diesel motor is also available with a six-speed automatic transmission.

According to Ho Sung Song, President and CEO, Kia Motors Corporation, the company has already grabbed a six percent market share in the passenger car segment in India. With the launch of the Sonet, the carmaker aims at becoming the segment leader not only in India but globally and make Kia the brand of choice. “With its aggressive and modern, design language, quantum-drive dynamics, and an array of the latest high-tech features, the Sonet puts an exclamation point on our ambition to make Kia the brand of choice, especially among millennial and Gen Z consumers. The Sonet fills a need in the growing SUV market,” said Song.

The interiors of the Kia Sonet is designed to offer comfort and luxury at the same time, with a well laid-out, easy-to-use connected infotainment and cluster interface along with high-quality materials all around. Despite compact exterior dimensions, the interior of the Sonet offers ample, ergonomic space for all the passengers. In addition to this, the Sonet comes loaded with multiple segment-first features offering complete comfort, convenience, safety and optimum driving pleasure to customers.

Design

The design team travelled to India before the project started and it discovered many elements that it implemented in the Sonet, said Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head at Global Design, Kia Motors Corporation. “The Sonet is inspired by the young, passionate and dynamic culture that you find in India. We were inspired by traditional architecture and the modern architecture that you find in the big cities in India. The silhouette, the presence of the vehicle, has a lot to do with what we believe the young people and young at heart in India would like to have. Other small details like material, light and colour that is very important in India,” said Habib.

The first thing anyone would notice is the distinctive bold profile of the car. Inspired by the baby elephant, the Sonet is compact but powerful. The car has got a powerful presence with long hood and bumper and powerful stance. It has black A-pillars that allow the dynamic silhouette for the hood to seem longer for such a compact car. “When you look at the car and look at the baby elephant, we see the link and believe power is visible from the inspiration to design,” added Habib.

At the front, the brand’s signature design trait – the Kia’ tiger-nose’ grille – is reinterpreted to suit the car’s personality. The company tries to evolve the tiger-nose grille to a bit more power with a tusk-like feature to it. The headlamps look like a tiger eye-line that gives a powerful concentrated look in daytime and night. Flanked by ‘heart beat’ LED DRLs and stylish front skid plates below, the wild nature of the car 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 step-wells. The grille mesh design pays respects to India’s historic strengths in sophisticated mathematics, science and architecture. 

At the rear, ‘heart beat’ LED tail lamps and its unique reflector garnish give the car even more significant presence and impart a wider look. “At the rear too, Kia tries to create the same sense of power, and that’s why the car feels very wide for a compact car as it is and that’s why we have the wrapped -round glass that gives the car lot of width. The signature of the tail lamp is similar to the front and has a very continuous feature to it and gives it a lot of widths,” said Habib. Additional highlights at the rear include a sporty dual muffler design and diffuser fin rear skid plate.

For the interior, the company emphasises on keeping it natural and intuitive and establishing a strong emotional connection in the car. To appeal to young-at-heart and always-connected consumers, the Sonet offers a sophisticated and lively cabin with a smooth, flowing dashboard. The 10.25-inch (26.03 cm) HD touchscreen with infotainment and navigation system at the centre on the dashboard has 57 connected car features. The 4.2-inch (10.66 cm) instrument cluster gives turn-by-turn navigation instructions, Highline Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and drive mode and traction mode selection. The double-layer AC vents are ideal for the Indian weather. It also offers Kia’s UVO ‘connected car’ technology, Bose speakers, LED Sound Mood Lighting, a wireless smartphone charger with cooling function and Smart Pure Air Purifier with virus protection. 

“On the technology front, we offer many futures for our customers, including intelligent manual transmission, an air purification system that is the world’s first just mention a few. We make sure that our customers will benefit from the latest for their life at the very beginning as soon as we launch the model. I promise that there will be much more excitement in future from Kia for the Indian market,” said Lorenz Glaab, VP and Head of global product management, Hyundai Motor. He also added that in the future, it is not the ecosystem that will be built around the car, but the car will be part of the ecosystem of each customer. (MT) 

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Stellantis-owned Citroen India has introduced the Aircross Comfort Edition, a limited-run series starting at INR 909,000 (ex-showroom). The launch coincides with the brand’s 108th-anniversary celebrations and aims to provide premium features and comfort-oriented upgrades across all trim levels.

A standout inclusion in this edition is the standardisation of premium leatherette interiors across all Comfort Edition trims, a move the company describes as a segment-first. Other ergonomic improvements include adjustable headrests for both front and rear seats, as well as refined interior finishes with soft-touch materials.

Citroen has introduced a structured accessory pack strategy to allow customers to personalise their vehicles.

YOU Pack (INR 36,600): Includes soft-touch IP, fog lamps, a 10-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reverse camera with guidelines and door cladding with chrome inserts.

PLUS Pack (INR 8,460): Adds a reverse camera with guidelines, a wireless charger, and door cladding with chrome inserts.

MAX Pack (INR 40,000): Focuses on technology and audio, featuring a JBL speaker system with an amplifier and an advanced front, cabin and rear dashcam with predictive safety alerts (e.g., front collision, lane change and pedestrian detection).

Kumar Priyesh, Business Head & Director – Automotive Brands, Stellantis India, said, “At Citroen, comfort is at the heart of our product philosophy. We have been closely listening to our customers, who are increasingly seeking more features, enhanced comfort, and a premium in-cabin experience at value-driven price points. The Aircross Comfort Edition is a direct response to this evolving demand.”

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Czech automaker Skoda Auto India has announced that its new Kodiaq RS SUV has sold out within six minutes of its release. The limited run of 50 units was offered as part of the brand’s ‘Surrender’ campaign, marking 125 years of Skoda in motorsport and the 51st anniversary of the RS badge.

This achievement follows the performance of the Octavia RS, which sold out in 20 minutes in 2025.

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said: “The RS has stood as a global icon for over half a century, with a passionate following in India for more than two decades. With the ‘Surrender’ campaign, we brought to customers a unique combination of performance and versatility in the Kodiaq RS. We are delighted—though not surprised – to see customers truly ‘surrender’ to its motorsport heritage, 4x4 capability, 7-seat luxury, and its standing as the quickest Skoda in India.”

The Skoda Kodiaq RS is powered by a 2.0 TSI engine producing 195 kW (265 PS) and 400 Nm of torque. It features a 7-speed DSG transmission with all-wheel drive, it can accelerate from zero to 100 kmph in a claimed 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 231 kmph. The vehicles is equipped with a dynamic sound boost, progressive steering and Dynamic Chassis Control Plus (DCC Plus).

The exterior features black accents on the grille, ORVMs, window trims, roof rails and D-pillars. The interior includes black leather upholstery with red stitching. The model is available in four colours: Moon White, Magic Black, Velvet Red and Steel Grey.

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Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has launched the nationwide ‘Hyundai Smart Care Clinic’, a service initiative designed to deliver comprehensive vehicle health assessments and special benefits to its customers. This programme underscores the company’s dedication to service excellence, drawing upon its three-decade legacy in the country and its foundational principles of trust, progress and pride.

Scheduled to run from 24 June to 8 July 2026, the clinic will be available at all Hyundai service centres. The offering includes a complimentary 30-point check-up for critical systems like brakes and suspension, alongside significant savings on extended warranty, mechanical labour, parts, car care, roadside assistance and Bluelink subscriptions, with discounts reaching up to 30 percent.

Timed ahead of the anticipated monsoon season, the initiative aims to ensure vehicles are prepared for wet conditions. By promoting timely maintenance and essential repairs, the programme is positioned to enhance vehicle longevity, safety and the overall driving experience for Hyundai owners.

Nilesh Shah, National Service Head, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, “As Hyundai celebrates 30 years of its journey in India, we remain committed to placing our customers at the heart of everything we do. The Hyundai Smart Care Clinic reflects our customer-first philosophy, offering proactive vehicle care and a holistic service experience. Through this initiative, we aim to strengthen customer trust by ensuring their vehicles remain in optimal condition while delivering enhanced convenience, transparency and a truly rewarding ownership journey.”

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Renault India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has initiated exports of the new Duster SUV, with an initial shipment of 750 vehicles departing from Chennai to South Africa.

This development follows Renault Group's strategy to position India as a hub for manufacturing, engineering, and exports. The company has set an objective to reach EUR 2 billion in annual exports from India by 2030.

Stephane Deblaise, CEO, Renault Group India, said, "The start of exports of the all-new Duster is an important moment for Renault India and a strong validation of the quality, capabilities, and competitiveness of our operations in Chennai. It reflects the progress we have made in building India into an integral part of Renault’s global industrial footprint.”

"India possesses all the fundamentals required to emerge as a leading automotive export hub: world-class manufacturing capabilities, engineering talent, scale, and a rapidly evolving logistics ecosystem. As Renault continues to expand its international footprint, India will play an increasingly strategic role in our future plans. We remain committed to contributing to the country’s manufacturing ambitions and are working towards our objective of generating EUR 2 billion in annual exports from India by 2030,” he added.

The new Duster is the first vehicle in India built on the Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP), which supports multiple powertrain technologies. All variants have achieved a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating.

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