IAB can exclusively reveal that Kia has filed for a trademark for the name ‘Seltos’. The company will use this name for the SP2i, which was rumoured to be called Tusker and Trailster before.
The Kia Seltos will look very similar to the Kia SP Signature concept, which itself is an evolution of the Kia SP Concept. It’ll be a good mix of modern design elements and traditional SUV proportions. At the front, there’ll be sleek LED headlamps with a “3D light graphic and a highly technical diamond pattern at their trailing edges”. The signature tiger-nose grille in a new interpretation will sit between these headlamps. Down below, there’ll be a wide central air intake, a chunky bumper and vertical LED fog lamps housed in the corners.
On the sides, the Kia Seltos will have a nearly flattish beltline until nearly the end of the rear doors, a conventional roofline and a simplistic greenhouse to reflect its tough, classical SUV character. Towards the end of the rear doors, there’ll be a noticeable rise in the beltline for a youthful styling, though. A strong shoulder line will also be visible on the sides, and so will be shiny 18-inch double-spoke alloy wheels.
At the rear, the Kia Seltos will be recognised from its wedge-shaped wraparound LED tail lamps with some resemblance of the headlamps’ diamond pattern and a thick brushed metal bar connecting them. Also worth noticing will be the L-shaped cut-out below the tail lamps and dual exhaust outlets with a chrome strip connecting them. Probably like the skid plates, they’ll be fake, though.
Inside, the Kia Seltos will feature an elegantly designed dashboard with curvy vertical outer-end air vents, super-sleek central air vents, slim climate control panel and silver passenger-side grab-bar. Targeted at the young buyers, the premium B-SUV will be packed with a plethora of advanced technologies, including a few first-in-segment ones. A head-up display has been revealed by a spy photo, while a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and Sound Mood Lighting have been officially confirmed.
The Kia Seltos will be available with two engines at launch in India, a 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol unit and a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel unit. 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic will like be the transmission choices. An AWD system is unlikely to be offered here, but it is a possibility for the international markets.
At a later stage, a performance variant packing a 1.4L turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 7-speed DCT and featuring paddle shifters will be launched. Do note that these specifications haven't been announced yet.
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The Kia Seltos will be unveiled in India on 20 June, and its launch will take place by the month next.
