The segment of mass cars traditionally enjoys great interest in our country. Undoubtedly, this public attention will be especially enhanced during the Sofia Motor Show 2019, which will be held from October 12 to 20 at the Inter Expo Center. We will tell you in part what the three most popular brands on the Bulgarian market will present at the exhibition — the Czechs from Skoda, the Japanese from Toyota and the Koreans from Kia.
Skoda invades two leading segments with Scala and Kamiq models
The Czech brand Skoda has cause for a double dose of optimism, as two brand new models will be unveiled at the Sofia Motor Show 2019 opening in October. The star of the exhibition will undoubtedly be the new Skoda Scala, which is another successful development of the Czechs and replaces the budget Rapid. the car is built on the modular MQB-A0 platform on which the Volkswagen Polo is based, but offers the comfort and space typical of a golf class.
Another interesting premiere at the Skoda stand will be the new Kamiq compact crossover, which is positioned under its older brothers Karoq and Kodiaq. The new urban crossover is a stylish and high-quality compact car designed specifically for demanding European buyers. Like its technology counterparts the Volkswagen T-Cross and SEAT Arona, the model has increased ground clearance but does not offer dual 4×4 drive and will be front-only.
At the visitors’ booth there will be a modernized version of the limousine with a sporty Superb character, where the most interesting is the appearance of the off-road version of the Superb Combi Scout. It is designed for consumers who often drive on dirt roads. The new Superb Combi Scout with 4×4 system is very practical even in harsh winter conditions.
There will of course also be available the facelifted Fabia in the Octavia and Octavia Combi Scout hatchback and station wagon versions, as well as the two successful Karoq and Kodiaq crossovers, while the Kodiaq presented will be in its sportiest version of the RS with a 2-liter engine. 240 hp turbodiesel
Lots of key news from Toyota
The full model range of the brand will be presented at the Toyota show floor. the stars will be the new generations of the RAV4, Corolla, Camry, current versions of the attractive C-HR crossover and eco-friendly Prius, and the well known Aygo, Yaris and Land Cruiser.
The new generation of the best-selling Corolla will generate a lot of interest. the model is based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) GA-C modular platform, which gives the model a wide and low stance for a more dynamic design and therefore excellent handling and greater safety. The new Corolla model family includes a sporty and compact hatchback, the elegant and versatile Touring Sports, and more refined and prestigious sedan than ever before.
After the brand continues to focus on self-charging hybrid technology, the hatchback and Touring Sports are the first models to offer two types of self-charging hybrid drives — an advanced 1.8-liter engine with 122 hp. and a completely new two-liter engine with 180 hp. This marks the debut of the Toyota Dual Hybrid strategy. The all-new Corolla is powered by one conventional engine: a 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine with 114 hp. in hatchback and Touring Sports and 1.6-liter with 132 hp. at the sedan. the model also boasts the Toyota Safety Sense package with enhanced features as standard across the range.
Toyota has a strong presence in the D/E segment of large sedans, but for the last 15 years they have been lacking in the demanding markets of Western Europe. To our delight, the Camry Hybrid is now returning to the Old Continent — a unique offering for customers with a powerful self-charging hybrid system, comfortable handling and sophistication. Growing interest in hybrid vehicles paves the way for a Camry relaunch. But even so, with annual sales of over 700,000 units, the Camry remains the best-selling sedan in the segment in the world. The 2.5-liter Hybrid Dynamic Force engine combines low fuel consumption, low emissions and quiet operation with more power and faster response. Camry Hybrid with 218 hp produces CO2 emissions of just 98 g/km (WLTP: 119 g/km) and reaches just 4,
KIA bets on new XCeed and electricity at Sofia Motor Show 2019
The Korean manufacturer KIA will present its new crossover XCeed as part of the Sofia Motor Show 2019 exhibition. The compact model is one of the latest additions to the manufacturer’s lineup, and two electric vehicles will be shown alongside it — the already well-known e-Niro and the new e-Soul.
The main difference between the XCeed and the standard new generation Ceed is the ground clearance, which reaches 184mm — 42mm more than the Ceed. As a rule, the newest model of the family is longer, wider and taller than the standard model. The wheelbase remains the same.
The driver and passenger seats in the cabin are 42 mm higher, the trunk volume is 426 liters, and when the rear seats are removed, it reaches 1378 liters. the model received new shock absorbers with hydraulic travel stops, as well as new front and rear springs, which are softer by 7% and 4%, respectively.
KIA XCeed is available with petrol turbo engines ranging from 1.0 to 1.6 liters, which develop respectively from 120 to 204 hp. There will also be versions with a 1.6-liter diesel engine with 115 or 136 hp. The weakest gasoline unit is combined only with a 6-speed manual transmission, otherwise a 7-speed automatic transmission with two clutches is provided.
The interior of the cross hatch is equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a multimedia system with a 10.25-inch screen, adaptive cruise control, a lane keeping function, and a UVA Connect system that allows you to control some parameters. using a smartphone application.
Another Korean premiere in Sofia is the new KIA e-Soul. It was the company’s first electric model, and now we will see a new generation of it. The main change in this case is the battery, whose capacity has been increased to 64 kW / h. This will provide the electric vehicle with a range of more than 450 km, which is 2 times more than before. Electric motor power remains at 204 hp.
The importing company promises many surprises for fans of the brand, as well as the opportunity to test some models. The KIA booth will also showcase the sporty Stinger in its most powerful version with 370 horsepower under the hood and 4×4 transmission, the Sorento and Sportage crossovers, the custom Proceed station wagon and the Picanto compact urban model with an emphasis on the special GT Line. modifications.