Kia Sonet Diesel Variants To Get Bump Up In Power, 6-speed Manual To Be Replaced By iMT

• Kia Sonet diesel will soon get 115PS tune as standard. 

• It will be offered with a six-speed iMT (clutchless manual) and torque converter automatic. 

• The diesel-manual powertrain will be removed, to be exclusive to Hyundai Venue. 

• All three engines of the Sonet will soon comply with upcoming RDE norms. 

Until now, the Kia Sonet’s 1.5-litre diesel engine was offered in two states of tune: 100PS (MT) and 115PS (AT). However, with more stringent emissions regulation set to kick in in April, the Hyundai Group will phase out the 100PS version of the 1.5-litre engine. That means, down the line, the Sonet’s MT variants, will soon get the more powerful tune as standard, much like the Hyundai Venue. 

The changes for the SUV’s diesel option doesn’t stop there. The carmaker, when introducing this powertrain, will be replacing the six-speed manual ‘box with the more convenient six-speed iMT (clutchless manual). It will be sold alongside the six-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Plus, the carmaker could implement idle stop-start tech, which technically boosts fuel economy. 

No major changes are expected to the Sonet’s petrol engines. So, it’s expected to continue with its 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol and 1-litre turbo-petrol engine options. All three engines will comply with the upcoming RDE emission norms and the petrol ones can run on E20 fuel (fuel with 20 per cent ethanol blend). 

• Kia Seltos, Sonet And Carens Diesel Variants To Lose Manual Gearbox In Lieu Of iMT

• 2023 Hyundai Alcazar With 1.5-litre Turbo-petrol Engine Launched In India At Rs 16.75 Lakh

All of these upgrades mean the Sonet could see a revision of its prices which currently starts from Rs 7.69 lakh (ex-showroom). It will continue to rival the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Hyundai Venue, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Nissan Magnite.