MANILA: Executives of Kia Philippines Motor Corporation (KPMC)  are eyeing to deliver around 8,000 units to its customers in the country.

KPMC Chief Operating Officer Brian Buendia revealed the target during a media drive, saying that the Ayala-backed firm is eyeing to grow its market share by 1.5 percent.

He also shared that the company is set to unveil four vehicles within the year made up of battery, hybrid, and internal combustion engine-powered models.

Not long ago, Buendia — as well as AC Motors Group Automobile Group President Antonio Zara III — confirmed the arrival of the Kia EV5 to the local market. They also said that the aforementioned model will be joined by two other new energy vehicles. Completing the targeted launches for next year would be an internal-combustion-engine-propelled model.

New Kia Stonic coming to PH?

In an event yesterday, Buendia noted that one of the vehicles that will be introduced is expected to corner around 30-percent share of the sales goal for the year.

After such a declaration, Zigwheels Philippines came up with a hunch that Kia Philippines would bring in the latest iteration of the Stonic.

Also, an update is in order since the nameplate has received no update since its local introduction in October 2020.

Compared to the one currently offered in the country, the new Kia Stonic seen abroad is shorter by 35 millimeters (mm), lower by 83 mm, and narrower by 10 mm but with a 10mm longer wheelbase.

It also comes with an updated front fascia (smaller grille and comes with new headlamp and fog lamp designs) — making it more aggressively-looking than the locally-marketed version.

The European-spec version is fitted with 16- to 17-inch alloy wheels depending on the variant and comes in various color options namely Honey Bee, White Pearl, Blaze Red, Astro Grey, Midnight Black, and Azure Blue.

Fitted inside the new Kia Stonic are the eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

Powering the vehicle is a 1.0-liter T-GDi ISG engine mated to a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The powertrain has an optional mild-hybrid powertrain.

Kia EV5: what is seen overseas

To note, the Kia EV5 — third dedicated battery electric vehicle in the brand’s line-up — is built on a dedicated E-GMP platform and embodies the “Opposites United” design philosophy. It also offers a lounge-like interior.

The EV5 will be produced in China and Korea — with China being available in three options: standard, long–range, and long–range all-wheel-drive (AWD).

The standard model has a 64-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack and a 160-kilowatt (kW) motor with a driving range of 530 kilometers (km) — based on the China Light Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) standards. On the other hand, the long-range version is fitted with an 88kWh battery pack and the same mill, allowing it to cover 720 kilometers.

Further, the AWD trim comes with a battery pack similar to the long-range version but is powered by two electric mills (a front–wheel 160kW motor and a rear–wheel 70kW motor). The said variant can do 650 km based on CLTC standards.

Moreover, the Kia EV5 in other markets are outfitted with minimal physical buttons: four hidden hard keys provide a start/stop function, audio-video, navigation, telematics, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control.

Photos from Ruben Manahan IV, Kia

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