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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Toyota Motor Corporation has selected Yokohama Rubber's GEOLANDAR A/T G31 and GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres as original equipment for its new 2025 4Runner SUV. The A/T G31 tyres (245/70R18 110H) will be equipped on Latin American models, while the X-CV tyres (245/70R17 110T and 265/55R20 113V) will be fitted for North America.

The GEOLANDAR A/T G31 combines all-terrain capability with on-road handling, offering enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced noise. Its optimised tread pattern, profile and structure ensure both comfort and steering stability. The GEOLANDAR X-CV, designed for highway performance, delivers improved high-speed manoeuvrability with lower rolling resistance while maintaining stability, comfort and durability in demanding conditions.

These tyres were developed using Yokohama’s HAICoLab, an AI-driven framework that blends human creativity with advanced data processing. Evolutionary computation – a key HAICoLab technology – helped refine the tread design. The development process leveraged real-world and simulated data, with AI aiding prediction, analysis and optimisation to achieve innovative performance breakthroughs.

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The MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 R K1 tyre showcases Michelin’s engineering excellence, delivering unmatched dry-surface performance for the Ferrari F80. Developed in just 15 months, this tyre benefited from advanced virtual simulation and Michelin’s proprietary C3M manufacturing process, reducing physical prototypes by 20-30 percent and accelerating production while minimising environmental impact.

Michelin and Ferrari leveraged cutting-edge simulation tools – typically reserved for motorsport – to optimise the tyre’s design before physical testing. Five virtual trials, including dynamic simulations at Ferrari’s Maranello facility, ensured perfect alignment with the F80’s extreme performance demands.

To withstand the car’s immense power, torque and aerodynamic forces, Michelin engineered a breakthrough rubber compound using a motorsport-derived mixing process, now adapted for road use. The tyre also features a reinforced twin-layer radial casing and innovative shoulder belt reinforcement, enhancing grip and stability while reducing centrifugal effects. These advancements make it the first road tyre to combine such high-performance technologies in a single design. Available in unique sizes (285/30R20 front, 345/30R21 rear), the Pilot Sport Cup 2 R K1 is exclusively tailored for the Ferrari F80.

Precision manufacturing is achieved through Michelin’s C3M process, which ensures consistent, high-accuracy production akin to 3D printing. Additionally, Michelin’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in the tyre’s development, which prioritised reduced carbon emissions. It is developed at the carbon-neutral Gravanches facility in Clermont-Ferrand, a site recognised for its low water consumption.

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Hyundai Motor Company has selected NEXEN TIRE’s premium comfort tyre N’FERA Supreme S as original equipment (OE) for the all-new NEXO, a next-generation hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

The all-new NEXO represents its first complete redesign in seven years, featuring groundbreaking hydrogen technology that delivers an impressive 700+ km range while maintaining whisper-quiet operation. This next-generation SUV showcases a sustainability-focused design inside and out. To match these advanced capabilities, Hyundai selected the innovative N'FERA Supreme S tyres, specifically engineered for hydrogen-powered vehicles.

These high-performance tyres feature an AI-optimised structure that ensures exceptional durability and handling stability, crucial for supporting the NEXO's weight. Their advanced Level Keeping Technology maintains consistent performance throughout the tyre's lifespan, while the aerodynamic tread design enhances efficiency without compromising braking or control.

Perfectly complementing the NEXO's silent hydrogen powertrain, the tyres incorporate multiple noise-reduction technologies. These include built-in sound-absorbing materials and an AI-developed tread pattern that minimises road noise in all driving conditions. Together, these features create a harmonious blend of eco-friendly innovation and driving performance, making the new NEXO a true leader in sustainable mobility.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO of NEXEN TIRE, said, “This latest supply agreement highlights NEXEN TIRE’s technological leadership in the next generation of eco-friendly mobility. We will continue to broaden our global OE partnerships by delivering optimised tyre solutions for all powertrains – hydrogen fuel cell, electric, hybrid and internal combustion alike.”

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Giti Tire has teamed up with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) to support Challenge4’s ambitious Guinness World Record attempt – visiting the most countries in a zero-emission vehicle using the fully electric VW ID. Buzz.

Spearheading the challenge is Rainer Zietlow, founder of Challenge4 GmbH and an eight-time Guinness World Record holder, known for his focus on endurance, efficiency and sustainable mobility. The journey kicks off on 1 July at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ headquarters in Hannover, Germany, with the first leg covering major European cities. Throughout the expedition, the team will engage with the VW community, media, fans and Giti’s global distributor network. The epic journey will span over 80,000 kilometres across approximately 75 countries in Europe, Central Asia, Oceania, Asia and the Americas, lasting more than eight months.

The ID. Buzz will be equipped with GitiSynergyH2 tyres (235/60 R18 front, 255/55 R18 rear), following Giti’s Original Equipment (OE) agreement with VWCV that began in September 2023. This marks Giti’s first EV tyre nomination in Europe, and the record attempt will serve as a real-world showcase of the company’s advanced EV tyre technology, emphasising durability, safety and sustainability. The AAA-rated GitiSynergyH2 tyres feature an innovative tread compound designed to minimise rolling resistance without sacrificing wear performance or critical safety attributes like wet and dry braking.

Zietlow said, “This is going to be a great adventure and one in which I’m proud to have Giti as my tyre partner of choice.”  

Stefan Brohs, Marketing Director – Europe, Giti Tire, said, “This marks the first joint global EV record tour for Rainer which is supported by Giti Tire and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, reinforcing both brands' commitment to innovation and sustainability. This magnificent opportunity allows us to reinforce Giti's leadership in EV tyre technology and amplify our global brand visibility via high-impact storytelling and brand content across global regions. It also strengthens our OE credentials through visible support in a common project, which in turn will help deepen engagement with distributors, dealers and partners around the globe.”

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