KP21 Project: Kerman Motor’s New SUV to Enter Mass Production in 2027

Khodrocar - With the introduction of the KP21 project, Kerman Motor has entered a new phase in the development of its indigenous product lineup. The project focuses on developing a full-size SUV based on the company’s proprietary KP2 platform—an architecture whose planning phase was completed in 2024, with the execution of the KP21 project officially commencing at the beginning of 2025.

KP21 will be the first product developed on the KP2 platform and will initially be offered with a gasoline powertrain. As planned, the vehicle will enter the market with a relatively comprehensive level of features and equipment.

Development Stages of Kerman Motor’s KP21 Project

The KP21 project is a fully in-house and comprehensive development program that includes the following stages:

Industrial design of the vehicle

One-to-one modeling of interior and exterior surfaces

Engineering design and simulation

Tooling for metal and polymer components

Construction of prototype vehicles

Full in-house calibration

Based on the current roadmap, mass production of this domestically developed SUV is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027.

Rationale Behind Selecting the KP2 Platform

Prior to launching the KP21 project, Kerman Motor evaluated the platforms typically required by global automakers for developing a diverse range of products. Ultimately, a platform suitable for full-size vehicles was selected and internally developed under the name KP2.

The KP2 platform has been designed to support three vehicle classes—SUV, sedan, and van—with gasoline, hybrid, and REEV (Range-Extended Electric Vehicle) powertrains. The first product based on this platform is a gasoline-powered SUV, whose development officially began in early 2025.

Analysis of Global Platforms and the Final Decision

During the platform selection process, vehicles such as the KMC SR6 (based on the A5 platform or SWM G01) and the Volkswagen Tiguan (MQB platform) were reviewed and analyzed. One of the key criteria was platform adaptability to multiple powertrain types, including gasoline and hybrid systems. This assessment ultimately led to the decision to develop a fully proprietary platform.

KP21 Design Strategy: Successor to the KMC K7

The KP2 platform has been entirely and exclusively developed by Kerman Motor. For its first product, several strategic options were evaluated, resulting in the decision to develop a coupe-style SUV with dimensions close to those of the KMC K7. The design draws inspiration from vehicles such as the Dignity, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and BMW X4.

Following the discontinuation of the KMC K7, the KP21 is being developed as its successor—offering updated design language and similar dimensions, all built on the KP2 platform.

Expected Technical Specifications and Features

Gasoline powertrain in the initial version

Parallel development of hybrid variants

1.5-liter TGDI engine

7-speed transmission

Level 2 ADAS driver-assistance systems, upgradeable to Level 4

Development and Production Timeline

Initial prototype: Autumn 2026

VP prototypes: March 2027

Start of mass production: First half of 2027

Design Status and Industrial Collaboration

The vehicle’s interior and exterior styling has been finalized, and negotiations are underway with several Chinese companies to produce one-to-one physical models. These models will allow for a tangible evaluation of the final design and any necessary refinements.

At present, a physical model has been completed and is under review by the design management team and the Product Development Vice Presidency. Leveraging internal collaboration and experience from previous projects, the majority of detailed design work is being carried out by Kerman Motor’s engineering team, with full vehicle product engineering conducted entirely in-house.