Kia’s pledge to reignite interest in Sri Lanka’s automobile market with exciting new entries has seen the release in Colombo of a second new model from the Korean nameplate in less than a month. Described as one of the brand’s most striking cars to date and as one of the most compelling new cars in the rapidly-expanding compact SUV segment, the Kia Stonic is the result of a close collaboration between Kia’s European and Korean design studios, and is manufactured at Kia’s Sohari production facility in Korea. Inspired by SUV design, the Stonic is powered by Kia’s most advanced lightweight three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbocharged gasoline direct injection (T-GDI) engine with 120 BHP coupled to a seven-speed double-clutch transmission. It maximises mechanical efficiency and performance, delivering immediate acceleration, quick handling responses and high fuel efficiency. “The Stonic has the potential to become one of our best-selling cars in Sri Lanka,” said Mr Andrew Perera, Chief Operating Officer/Executive Director of Kia Motors (Lanka). “It is an eye-catching and confident compact SUV with true European design flair, is the most customisable Kia ever inside and out, and is one of the smartest cars in its class, with a range of technologies designed to enhance handling, safety, comfort and convenience.” Thanks to a series of signature design elements, the Stonic has Kia’s hallmark ‘tiger-nose’ grille modernised with a new three-dimensional chrome surround, while wide C-pillars echo existing Kia designs, and like all Kia models, the Stonic’s body blends sharp horizontal feature lines with softer sculpted surfaces. The Stonic is built on a strong, lightweight platform and body shell for maximum passive safety. A high proportion of its body shell is made up of Advanced High Strength Steel, and features 98 metres of structural adhesive welding to further enhance stiffness and safety. Technology also plays a role in enhancing driver enjoyment as well as safety: the front-wheel drive Stonic features Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Kia’s Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system as standard. More than any other production Kia model to date, the Stonic accords greater priority to sporty, confidence-inspiring dynamics, with direct and immediate responses. It features new front and rear suspension setups which are unique to the car, resulting in a fun-to-drive character. Like the exterior, the Stonic’s cabin is based upon European design influences. Smart packaging maximises interior space for all occupants. The cabin offers plenty of space for driver and passengers, while its versatile 352-litre luggage bay features a two-step boot floor that enables owners to expand or shrink the boot as required, and create a flat floor with the rear seats folded down. The Stonic offers the widest boot opening in its class to accommodate larger items. Priced between Rs 4.95 million and Rs 5.5 million, the Kia Stonic is backed by a warranty of five years or 150,000Km. Kia Motors (Lanka), which has represented the Kia brand in Sri Lanka since 1996, recently underwent a change in corporate structure. With its new Rs 800 million Logistics Centre in Malabe as the hub for a network of owned subsidiaries and franchised satellite sales, service and spare parts outlets, the new operational structure is designed to drive a new phase of growth for KIA, one of the most popular automobile brands in the country. Photo caption: Kia Motors (Lanka) Executive Director /Chief Operating Officer Mr Andrew Perera (extreme right) presents the keys to the first customer for the Kia Stonic at the company’s Malabe complex.
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