Kia’s premiered two cars at Shanghai Auto Show held last month, which have been specifically designed, engineered, and built for Chinese car market.
One of those cars is called as the Pegas, and it’s a compact sedan that targets young & first time car buyers. It carries KIA’s instantly recognizable design, with the ‘tiger nose’ grille, a visual signature of all modern KIA cars sold around the world.
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It has a 2,570 mm wheelbase, and a maximum boot capacity of 475 liters, which, according to the automaker, makes it “one of the most versatile, useful cars in its class”. The company didn’t have much to say about it, except that it gets a large sunroof, and a front passenger central armrest to enhance comfort on long journeys.
Powering the new Kia Pegas is a 1.4-liter multi-point injection petrol engine that churns out 95 PS (94 HP) and 133 Nm (98 lb-ft) of torque. The output is channeled to the front wheels through a standard 5-speed manual, or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission.
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The Pegas will be manufactured by the Dongfeng-Yueda-Kia joint venture in China and will be launched in the Chinese car market by August 2017. Price is expected to start from 80,000 to 120,000 yuan (PKR 12.19 lac to PKR 18.2 lac).
In August 2010, China was the first to get the Hyundai Verna sedan launched as the China-only model, later the same was rebadged and launched in several other countries. BMW also launched their first ever front wheel driven 1-series sedan in China, the same is now destined for European markets. Although the KIA Pegas will initially be launched as a China-only model, it may possibly reach other emerging markets in future perhaps with different a badge.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
