The South Korean automaker is preparing a premium three-row hybrid SUV for India, based on the Kia Sorento. Codenamed MQ4i, the model is expected to make its debut towards the end of this year. Scrapping earlier reports that suggested that the Kia 7-seater hybrid SUV would be brought in via CBU (Completely Built Unit) route, a fresh report now claims that the SUV will arrive as a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) unit. This means, the components and parts will be imported in an unassembled form and later put together at a local assembly facility.

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The report further states that the company has a strong focus on high localisation to achieve competitive pricing. If things go as planned, the upcoming Kia Sorento SUV will be “made in India from the ground up”. Kia’s Anantapur plant in Andhra Pradesh will serve as the production hub for the hybrid SUV. If the plan materialises, the India-spec model might receive a few market-specific changes inside and out.

While the specifications of Kia’s hybrid engine for India are still under the wraps, the company is likely to hybridize its tried-and-tested 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine generating power worth 115bhp. Globally, the Kia Sorento hybrid is available with a 1.6L turbo TGDi petrol engine, paired with a 59bhp, electric motor. This setup delivers a combined power output of 230bhp-238bhp, depending on the market. The SUV lineup comes with a 6-speed automatic gearbox along with FWD and AWD drivetrain options, again depending on the market.

The Kia Sorento measures 4,815mm in length, 1,900mm in width and 1,700mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,815mm. This makes it bigger than the Mahindra XUV 7XO (4695mm X 1890mm X 1755mm) and Tata Safari (4668mm X 1922mm X 1795mm). It will be longer and wider than the Toyota Fortuner. Being a premium offering, the Sorento hybrid offers several advanced features such as

• LED lighting system
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• 7-airbags
• Level 2 ADAS
• Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
• Bose premium sound system
• Kia Connect/Telematics
• OTA updates
• Panoramic dual displays
• USB-C ports
• Navigation with real-time updates
• Dual-zone/Tri-zone climate control
• Ventilated and heated seats
• Panormaic sunroof
• Power adjustable driver seats with memory function
• Ambient mood lighting
• 2^nd-row One-Touch walk-in
• HUD
• Paddle shifters for regenerative braking
• Wireless charging pad

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