Kia 7-Seater SUV - In The Works

Kia India is working on a new three-row SUV, which will reportedly sit above the best-selling Seltos in the company's pecking order. The SUV has been codenamed MQ4i and will compete with the Mahindra XUV700, Tata Safari, and a line of new entrants. However, the MQ4i will arrive in India first before it hits its export markets. The MQ4i model is based on the overseas Kia Sorento, but it would come under a different platform and a different name, despite being differently designed.

Production/ Manufacturing Plans

Manufacturing of the MQ4i will be made in Kia's plant at Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. The MQ4i is scheduled to produce 50,000 units per annum for both home and export market. After going up from its production of last year from 300,000 units to 430,000 units, it is expected the increase and will be pushed up to the year 2027, therefore putting it sufficiently on the route to the companies half-million unit target yearly.

The MQ4i would thus be playing in a space very well dominated by brands like Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari. Additionally, Maruti Grand Vitara (a codename to Y17; it is essentially Brezza) along with a three-row Hyryder from Toyota may also arrive at the same price point with a petrol-hybrid powertrain. This could expand an overcrowded and competitive three-row SUV universe in India into a greater space in the near term.

Size and Dimensions

It would be a big SUV, with a body as long as about 4.8 meters and has a wheelbase of approximately 2,800mm. Therefore, it is almost identical to Mahindra XUV 700 with the body measuring 4,695 mm in length and a wheelbase of 2,750 mm. This should be enough three rows of seating to make for one terrible massive family car.

Powertrain

Under the hood, this one comes with a hybrid engine. This hybrid powertrain should be one with 1.5-litre of the engine and also another hybrid system attached to it. It would definitely be the very first Kia SUV of this category on Indian soil - a fuel efficient, environmentally sound vehicle. For sure, that hybrid power train will ensure this MQ4i is performing strongly while having high fuel efficiency levels, a hot contender in such a crowded space.

Hyundai Comparable Model

To be launched alongside is the three-row version by sister brand Hyundai of Kia. Codenamed Ni1i, this is based on a similar architecture. It is to be driven by a petrol-hybrid setup and will be manufactured at the company's new plant near Pune. This just adds more fuel to the already competitive three-row SUV market in India.

Source: Autocar

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