With the Clavis, Kia wants to expand its footprint even more and address the masses as it will be positioned around the Sonet and Seltos.
The Kia Clavis has been spied testing yet again. The Korean carmaker has achieved immense success in India. That is proven by the 1 million (10 lakh) sales within 59 months of operation. This makes it one of the most successful carmakers in the country ever. Until now, the Sonet, Seltos and Carens have been the chief contributors to that number. However, looking at the way things are going, the Clavis could be yet another mass-market product. For now, let us delve into the specifics of this latest instance.
Kia Clavis Spied Again
The details of this case emerge from evoindia on Instagram. These images are from up close despite a heavy camouflage. At the front, the short and upright bonnet is visible. Furthermore, I see the vertical LED DRLs on the extreme edges of the bumper which encapsulate LED headlamps. There is a large grille section between the headlamps. Apart from that, I really like the alloy wheels which look to carry the dual-tone pattern. Also, look closely and you will see the front parking sensors too. The side profile showcases its upright and boxy stance with roof rails and a shark fin antenna. It clearly looks like a premium product in this already crowded space.
Now, there are no official announcements pertaining to the powertrains the Kia Clavis will be available with. However, I believe it won’t be wrong to assume that it will borrow the engine and transmission options from the Sonet. Hence, we could expect a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.0-litre turbo petrol and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel with manual and automatic transmissions. Apart from that, we know that Kia likes to equip its cars with the utmost comfort, tech and convenience amenities. Hence, the Clavis will surely be a feature-rich product. More details will emerge closer to the launch.
Our View
I feel Kia has benefitted immensely from its parent company Hyundai, which has been the second-largest carmaker in the country for the longest time. It knows the mindset of the Indian buyers. Accordingly, Hyundai and Kia offer the latest gadgets and gizmos at competitive prices to cater to the masses. That has resulted in people buying Kia cars like hotcakes. I expect this trend to continue as new-age buyers look for such features in their cars. Let us see how well the customers embrace the upcoming SUV.
Also Read: New Kia Clavis To Get A Diesel Engine In India?