To put this extraordinary expenditure into perspective, it is noteworthy that the Kia Sonet X-Line variant, owned by ‘flipflop,’ has since been discontinued. Nevertheless, its last known price ranged from Rs 13.89 lakh for the 1.0L turbo petrol-DCT variant to Rs 14.89 lakh for the 1.5L diesel-AT variant (both prices, ex-showroom). Astonishingly, the cost of the audio upgrade surpasses the value of the SUV itself, coming in at nearly twice the original price.
In ‘flipflop’s’ own words, “I have always believed and treated my car as my solace, my own space, my escape and my quick vacation from the mundane – my absolute inner sanctum. And for me, the quality of music in my inner sanctum takes precedence and priorities over everything else. No matter the cost of the vehicle itself.”
The enhancements made to the Kia Sonet’s audio system include premium components such as Focal Utopia M speakers, Helix Ultra DSP, Ground Zero Reference amplifiers, Focal Beriliyum tweeters, and several other improvements. Additionally, the vehicle underwent a comprehensive soundproofing and dampening process, effectively reducing cabin noise levels (NVH) to enhance the overall sound quality by minimizing disturbances. According to the user, the vehicle’s doors were also fortified to enhance their strength. While the exact cost breakdown and comprehensive list of upgrades remain undisclosed, the modifications were carried out in Chennai.
(Source: Team-BHP Forum)