A new set of spy images of the new Kia Sonet CNG has surfaced online, hinting at Kia India gearing up to launch the CNG model in our market. The company has been testing the model in and around its assembly plant in Anantpur and the CNG sticker is clearly visible on the left side of its rear windscreen. The spy images also reveal a CNG filling valve next to its fuel lid and the C-Pillar wears a CNG badge as well.
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Kia India is likely to offer CNG option in the Sonet 1.0-litre T-GDi.
It looks like that the Sonet CNG has been undergoing testing for quite a while since the test mule wears the previous Kia badge instead of the new one. We can also safely assume that the Korean brand could launch the Kia Sonet CNG with the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo petrol engine since the test mule also wears the GT and T-GDI badges. That said, we don't have any confirmation about the company considering CNG option on the 1.2-litre petrol variants as well. The 1.0-litre turbo motor churns out 118 bhp power and 172 Nm torque in the Sonet and comes mated to a six-speed iMT or a seven-speed DCT automatic gearbox. However, expect the power and torque figures to be to drop in the CNG iteration and it to be offered only with the six-speed iMT unit.
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With fuel prices soaring, automakers are already exploring alternative fuel possibilities for their models and this stands true also for upper segment models like this subcompact space and not only entry level cars. Maruti Suzuki is already offering CNG option in models like the Dzire and Ertiga and we expect the company to introduce the CNG option in the Vitara Brezza range as well. Tata Motors too launched the Tiago CNG recently and is likely to offer CNG option in the Nexon.
Image Source: Rushlane
