After a massive hit of its maiden product, Seltos, the all-new smart urban compact SUV Sonet, has been introduced to meet the growing demand fueled by millennial and Gen Z consumers in the segment. Sonet was showcased in the Auto Expo this year in Delhi.
 
The pilot production for Sonet has been successfully conducted, and now the new car will be manufactured in the Andhra Pradesh plant. It will also be used as an export hub to export Sonet in various countries.  

“KiaMotors continues to be recognised globally through products which offer exquisite design and world-class quality, along with ‘The Power to Surprise.’ Everything about the all-new Sonet is uniquely Kia and is sure to delight both drivers and passengers,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia Motors Corporation.

Song also anticipated that growth in the SUV segment is expected to continue in 2020 and beyond.
 
Inspired by a baby elephant, the Sonet design makes it a powerful, sports and
compact SUV.  At the front, Kia tried to be more powerful with its brand’s signature design trait – the Kia ‘tiger-nose’ grille. Flanked by ‘heart beat’ LED DRLs and stylish front skid plates below, the wild nature of the Sonet comes alive. Within the tiger-nose grille, with its classy chrome and diamond knurling pattern, is the distinctive grille mesh featuring a three-dimensional geometric design inspired by India’s iconic stepwells.

The Sonet’s lighting makes it stand out from everything else in this segment. Jewel-like LED headlamps frame the ‘face’ of the car, with ‘heart beat’ LED DRLs with integrated indicators and similar LED tail lamps make the Sonet’s wild personality come alive through its design.Furthermore, the Sonet is offered with up to eight monotone and three dual-tone exterior colour options.

For the interior, the company tries to give natural feel inside and connect people emotionally to the car. It has 10.25 inch HD touchscreen with infotainment and navigation system which does not allow the driver to remove his or her eyes off the road. It also has UVO ‘connected car’ technology, with a range of 56 features for owners offering convenience, remote control, navigation, safety, security and vehicle management.  Additionally, the 4.2-inch (10.66 cm) instrument cluster presents important information to the driver in vivid colour and clarity, such as turn-by-turn navigation instructions, highline Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and drive mode and traction mode selection.

With a choice of three engines and five transmissions, there is an engine-transmission combination for virtually every customer need in this segment. Two petrol engines – a versatile Smartstream 1.2-liter four-cylinder and powerful 1.0 T-GDi – and an efficient 1.5-liter CRDi diesel engine are offered.
 
The Sonet comes with five transmission options: five- and six-speed manuals, an intuitive seven-speed DCT, six-speed automatic, and Kia’s revolutionary new six-speed Smartstream intelligent manual transmission. Additionally, automatic variants of the Sonet offer Multi-Drive and Traction Modes for added convenience, driver-confidence and safety.

Sonet offers first-in-class diesel six-speed automatic, alongside a wide choice of powertrains. Offered in sporty GT-Line specification, for the first time in the segment

It has the Smartstream six-speed iMT which gives less driver fatigue. With iMT, the driver does not needs to use a clutch pedal, especially in stop-go traffic. It also gives  Longer clutch life and Smoother ride.

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Toyo Tires has announced that its Proxes CR1 tyre has been selected as the official Original Equipment fitment for the all-new Perodua Traz. This partnership begins with the vehicle's 1.5 (X/H) variant, which rolls off the line equipped with 215/60R17 Proxes CR1 tyres in Malaysia, engineered to perfectly match the vehicle's comfort-driven character.

Through the application of Toyo Tires’ advanced T-Mode and Nano Balance Technology, the Proxes CR1 delivers on its promise of refined comfort and confident performance from the first drive. The optimised tread design ensures smooth responsiveness and reassuring stability while actively reducing road noise. Drivers benefit from reliable grip and stable handling across both wet and dry conditions, contributing to an efficient and secure journey.

As a leader in the market, Toyo Tires offers the Proxes CR1 and CR1 SUV as its most comprehensive range in Malaysia, catering to a wide variety of passenger cars and SUVs with sizes available from 14 to 20 inches.

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Dunlop (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.) has commenced supply of its Dunlop SP SPORT MAXX 060 and e. SPORT MAXX tyres as original equipment for Toyota Motor Corporation’s new C-HR+, an all-electric vehicle launched in Europe in December 2025. This BEV model combines a stylish design with an expansive cabin and achieves a greater driving range than previous versions through enhancements including modified battery cells.

The supplied tyres contribute directly to this improved range by utilising a new tread rubber compound that lowers rolling resistance. They also provide a quieter ride, a benefit of their optimised tread pattern design. In addition to delivering strong steering stability and wet grip performance, the tyres feature the proprietary Nano Black technology. This technique produces a deeper, richer black on the sidewalls, enhancing the visibility of the Dunlop branding and lending a more premium aesthetic to the vehicle.

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has expanded its established partnership with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation through the selection of its GEOLANDAR SUV tyre as original equipment for the newly launched 2026 Delica D:5 minivan. This latest generation of the vehicle, which debuted in Japan in January, features the tyre in size 255/55R18 98H. The collaboration builds upon a proven history, as the GEOLANDAR SUV was also fitted to the previous Delica D:5 model. For this new application, Yokohama engineers focused on refining the tyre’s performance, achieving enhancements in fuel economy and a reduction in external noise compared to the already well-regarded predecessor.

The GEOLANDAR SUV line is engineered primarily for modern minivans and on-road-focused SUVs, balancing the demand for everyday comfort and safety with versatile utility across diverse surfaces. Yokohama’s relationship with Mitsubishi extends beyond this single model, with the GEOLANDAR brand appearing on several vehicles in the automaker’s portfolio. Notably, the GEOLANDAR G94 model has been supplied in recent years for the Triton and Pajero Sport, underscoring a continued mutual confidence between the two companies.

This tyre supply agreement aligns with the comprehensive updates characterising the new Delica D:5. Mitsubishi has introduced refreshed exterior and interior styling while incorporating sophisticated all-wheel control technology and advanced driver-assistance systems. These improvements collectively elevate the distinctive dynamic character and driving capabilities for which the model is known, with Yokohama’s tyres contributing directly to its on-road performance and efficiency.

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has initiated original equipment supply of its GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres for Subaru’s new 2026 Solterra SUV-type battery electric vehicle (BEV), in North America, size 235/50R20 100V. For the Japanese market Solterra, the company continues to provide the ADVAN V61 model. This new GEOLANDAR X-CV is engineered as a modern highway terrain tyre that meets the M+S standard, emphasising high-speed capability and drivability alongside a balanced performance in safety, comfort, durability and fuel efficiency.

Developed through Yokohama’s AI-powered HAICoLab framework, which blends human creativity with artificial intelligence for advanced data processing, the tyre incorporates specific technologies for electric vehicles. This is signified by an ‘E+’ mark on the sidewall, indicating enhancements in durability, quietness and energy efficiency tailored to electrified vehicles.

This supply agreement aligns with the strategic goals outlined in Yokohama Transformation 2026, the company’s medium-term management plan running through 2026. A core initiative of this strategy is to increase the proportion of high-value-added tyre sales by expanding original equipment placement for key global brands. This includes actively promoting both the flagship ADVAN line and the GEOLANDAR series for SUVs and pickup trucks on new vehicles worldwide.

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