Kia India recently unveiled the updated Kia Sonet which go on sale early next month. We already know that Kia is planning to bring in a new mass-market EV in India. Reports indicate that this EV could be the Clavis and could make a global debut in 2024.
Kia Clavis
Kia is already working on an India-specific SUV with the code name AY which will be built ground up in India. Sources indicate that the AY SUV will be dubbed Clavis. This SUV reportedly will be slotted between the Sonet and the Seltos. The Clavis will be available in multiple powertrains i.e. ICE, EV, and hybrid. Kia will not use an existing platform but build a new platform altogether for the new SUV. The Clavis will make its debut in Nov-Dec 2024. It will go on sale in Jan 2025.
Design and Looks
The Clavis will have a boxy, upright design and will be a sub-four meter SUV. It will take inspiration from the Kia Soul and the Telluride SUV. It could pose a large tiger-nose grill with large headlamp clusters and a star map LED taillamp. It could also be taller and wider than the Kia Sonet.
Kia India’s Vision for the Clavis
The Clavis will be produced in India and then sold to select markets across the globe. Kia intends to sell 1 lakh units of the Clavis per year. 80% of the sales are expected to come from the ICE and Hybrid powertrains.
What we think
The Clavis could open up a new segment between the sub-4 meter and the compact SUVs. Though the price gap between these segments is small, it could attract buyers who do not want to bear the extra tax brunt that the Compact SUVs bring with them. More than the ICE powertrains, we look forward to see the Hybrid and EV powertrains from the Korean manufacturer. The platform could also be used by Hyundai to spawn a mass-market EV.
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