Kia Motors unveiled its first offering for India at its world premiere – Kia Seltos- and it’s the production model based on the SP Concept which the company showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo.
In a first, Kia will make the Seltos available with two distinct design lines – Tech Line and GT Line. This is the first time in the compact SUV segment, that a model will be made available in a dual trim option. While the Tech Line will focus more about premium looks and features in line with comfort, the GT Line will be more youth inclined and will get more innovative features.
“India is crucial market for Kia Motors overall growth story and will play an important role in expanding our global footprint. India is a diverse country with distinct driving condition across the country and hence it was crucial to introduce a vehicle which is perfect in every sense. We are excited to pursue our India journey with Kia Seltos which is crafted and built keeping in mind the Indian customers and their needs. We believe that Seltos is all set to propel Kia into becoming one of India’s prominent automobile players in the years to come. Globally, the world premiere of the Seltos is an important milestone for Kia as it shows our commitment to the Indian market. This is just the beginning as we have many surprises for the 4th largest auto market in the world.”, Mr. Han-Woo Park, CEO & President, Kia Motors Corporation, said.
Performance
The Seltos comes equipped with Smartstream – newly developed third generation BS VI compliant powertrain for high efficiency and powerful performance. The Seltos, by offering BSVI diesel and petrol engines, reiterates Kia Motors’ commitment towards offering cleaner mobility solution. The vehicle will come in petrol, turbo-petrol and diesel guise and will be offered in three automatic transmission options – IVT, (Intelligent continuously variable transmission) 7DCT, 6AT and, along with 6 Speed Manual transmission – giving users options to choose the combo that conforms to their driving style. To further elevate the driving experience the Seltos gets multiple driving modes that alters the responsiveness of the car and transforms the car’s driving character optimizing the performance on all conditions.
Drivers can choose from ‘Normal’, ‘Eco’ and ‘Sport’ mode. The Eco mode is tuned to maximise vehicle range by using fuel-saving measures, while Sport mode increases responses from the steering and electric motor to maximise the dynamic driving feel of the car. Normal mode provides a careful balance between the two. It also comes equipped with multiple grip controls. Drivers can choose from mud, wet and sand mode depending on road condition.
Network
Standing firm on its commitment to offer highest number of touchpoints among any new entrant car manufacturer in India, Kia will go live with a vast 265 authorised touchpoints across 160 cities in India. The wide-spread network of Kia Motors India will enable the company to offer seamless support to its patrons at every stage of their Kia ownership. Adding to customer’s convenience and delight, Kia Motors India will also digitalise its sales and service offerings enabling a hassle-free ownership experience. As Kia Motors India proceed further, the company is all set to increase the number of its touchpoints and committed to offer its service to even tier 4 markets along with tier 1,2 and 3.
Design
A Kia hallmark, design is intricately woven into the brand’s DNA, and is definitely the talking point of the Seltos whose design is a collaborative effort of Kia’s global design centres that did extensive research on the current and upcoming trends of car design around the world and tailored it for the Indian market. The design of the Seltos is set to spark conversations and turn heads wherever it goes. From the dominating front fascia with the wide Signature Tiger Nose Grille, the muscular shoulder line and intricately and sharply designed front and rear full LED lights the Seltos looks commanding and confident all-round. The stunning premium crystal cut alloys compliment the dimension of the Seltos and lends it a powerful stance, ready to take on everything and triumph. The Seltos is the flag bearer of the ‘Future of Design’.
Exterior
Kia’s very first product for India flaunts a bold, distinctive and dynamic design. The mid-SUV sports a wide Tiger nose grille, one of the most unique and recognizable design elements of Kia Motors’ world-class design philosophy. The robust design character of a conventional SUV co-exists with sophisticated exterior design details and is drawn out from real life inspirations, such as a long hood, a robust and sophisticated character line on the front bumper, and sharp lines pressed into the bodywork. Its strong shoulder line, matched with a glasshouse, which tapers towards the rear of the car, as well as rear bumper with a metallic muffler effect, lends the compact SUV an air of understated sportiness. Seltos has 8 sensuous color combinations and 5 two tone colour options. By using different colors and two-tone roof combinations, customers can select their car based on their tastes.
– Kia signature Tiger Nose Grille
– Crown Jewel LED headlamps
– Kia Signature Heartbeat shape LED DRL & tail lamps
– Ice cube LED Fog lamps
– 3D Multilayer Side turn indicator
– Diamond shape knurling on front grille
– Well-designed Lower Air dam & Bumper
– 8 colours and 5 two tone options
– Dual muffler design on rear bumpers
– Bridge chrome line on rear
UVO:
Kia Seltos comes equipped with the globally famous UVO connect, an advanced connected car technology which offers an array of convenience and safety features. The UVO boasts 37 smart features under five distinct categories i.e. Navigation, Safety and Security, Vehicle Management, Remote Control and Convenience. The UVO facility will be free for the first three years for its users.
– AI Voice Command
– Stolen vehicle tracking and immobilization
– Auto Collision Notification, SOS-emergency assistance etc.
– Remote engine start & stop
– Remotely operated Air Purifier and In Car Air Quality Monitor
– Safety alert (Geo fence, Time Fence, Speed, Valet, Idle)
Safety:
Kia has paid utmost attention to ensure that every drive in the Seltos is relaxing and safe. It offers a full range safety which includes, active, passive, health safety, security and maintenance. The Seltos gets 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, HAC, VSM and is built on robust structure, which has high usage of advanced high strength steel (AHSS) that fortifies the Seltos’s core and keeps the occupants safe in an event of a crash.
Additionally, the front and rear parking sensors, blind view monitor ensures that the visibility of unseen vehicles is not compromised, giving the driver confidence at all times. Working in tandem with the safety tech, the Seltos comes equipped with an array of advanced UVO connected car technology features. The UVO technology can be summoned via a dedicated button on the IRVM. The IRVM also has dedicated roadside assistance and SOS button that alert the dedicated call centre– in case of An emergency .The car is fitted with an Anti-lock Braking System, a Traction Control System, a Brake-Assist System and Hill-start Assist Control, as well as front and rear parking sensors, for assistance when parking.
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Safety being central to all Kia products, the Seltos, also gets, rain sensing wipers and auto headlamps, thus allowing the driver to focus more on the road conditions ahead.
– Light weight yet Robust structure: 73% High Strength Steel and segment’s 1st Hot Stamping
– 6 Airbags | ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)| ESC (Electronic Stability Control) | HAC | VSM (Vehicle Stability Management) | Traction control system | BAS (Brake-Assist System) | HAC (Hill-start Assist Control)
– Stolen vehicle notification, tracking and immobilization
– Stolen vehicle notification and tracking
– Segment 1st 360 degree camera with Blind View Monitor and driving rear view monitor (DRVM)
– Rear & Front Parking Sensor
According to reports, the Kia Seltos will go up against the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Tata Harrier and even the newly launched MG Hector.