BETTER PARTSThe small SUV will start in September 2017
Frankfurt/Amsterdam, 20. June 2017
With the Stonic extended Kia its SUV range with a Crossover model in the B Segment. After the recent sketches have been released, Kia has unveiled the newcomer in Amsterdam. The model represents the Equivalent to the recently presented Hyundai Kona.
Roof in contrasting colours
The Stonic measures 4.14 meters and is thus about as long as a Renault Captur. The Luggage compartment volume 352 litres up to 1,155 litres, which is slightly less than that of the Captur (377 up to 1235 litres). A trunk shelf provides for variability. The exterior design combines the brand's signature tiger nose grille with a more conventional overall look the Kona is clearly styled to the extreme. Since buyers in this Segment, the individualization is especially important, offers Kia two-tone paint finishes. With the roofs in five different contrasting colors, up to 20 different color combinations.
Three petrol and one Diesel
The engine range differs astonishingly from that of the Kona. The Stonic it comprises three gasoline engines and a Diesel. In the case of gasoline engines, buyers have the choice between cleaners, with 84 and 99 HP, as well as the 1.0 T-GDI with 120 HP. The 1.6 T-GDI with 177 HP, the Kona, is missing here. This is offered at the Stonic a 1.6-Liter Diesel with 110 HP, while the Kona is only from 2018 onwards, Diesel and newly developed. A later start to the end of an electric version like the Kona is not mentioned. Also an optional all-wheel drive is out of the question. Important for Kia, however, is that steering and suspension are European-tuned tight. In addition, the ESP supports a brake-based Torque Vectoring to reduce understeer in the curve.
Electronic Nanny
The standard equipment of the Stonic an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is part of an optional comfort elements such as a heated seat, a cruise control and a Keyless access and start system. Among the active safety systems, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, cross-traffic warning system and an anti-collision system with pedestrian recognition and braking function. Add to that a high-beam assistant and a fatigue detection system.
A growing Segment
By Stonic Kia promises a lot. Because Europe is currently a year 1.1 million B-Segment SUVs, and in 2020 it will be even more than two million. "We assume that the B-SUVs in Europe will overtake by 2020, the C-Segment SUVs from the paragraph, and that more than one in ten new registrations will then be allocated to the Segment of the Stonic," said Kia Europe chief Michael Cole. The customers came from different vehicle classes: 21 percent of buyers drove a small car, 15 percent for a compact car. But also of MPVs, customers would come. Market introduction for the Stonic is the end of the third quarter of 2017, i.e., in September. The prices have yet to be notified. (sl)