Following a series of leaks and several teasers, Kia has officially unveiled the Seltos. The small SUV was presented at a special event in Delhi, India, and will go on sale in the second half of the year.
On the outside, it combines a youthful styling and sharp lines with the look of a traditional SUV. The wide tiger nose grille is the main feature that’ll help bystanders identify it as a Kia. The Seltos gets LED DRLs, fog lamps and taillights, 3D multi-layer indicators and a selection of 16-, 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels.
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The cabin is defined by the sweeping shapes and large infotainment system, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, sitting in the middle of the dashboard, joined by the Sound Mood Lighting. Clients will also be able to spec it with an 8-inch head-up display, Bose premium sound system and a few other items, while enjoying “the lounge-like and spacious interior” that’s “aimed at youthful, tech-savvy buyers”.
Drivers will be assisted by several active and passive safety systems, such as the Vehicle Stability Management, which incorporates traction control and electronic stability control, a standard feature, as well as the usual hill-start assist, brake-force assist, front and rear parking sensors and others. The Seltos can adapt to different road conditions by choosing one of the three driving modes, called Normal, Eco and Sport.
Depending on the market, the Seltos will be offered with a choice of two petrol engines. This includes a 1.6-liter turbo rated at 177 PS (175 hp / 130 kW) and 2.0-liter naturally aspirated option that delivers 149 PS (147 hp / 110 kW). There is also a 136 PS (134 hp / 100 kW) 1.6-liter diesel. The power units can be linked to three transmission options, consisting of six- and seven-speed autos and a CVT.
Production of the vehicle will kick off soon in Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India, and Gwangju, Korea.