New Delhi. Kia will globally introduce the second-generation Seltos in South Korea and India in early December, which will be an entirely new model for one of its most important SUVs. The new Seltos is coming after 6 years, when its first version was launched globally in India. It will get a completely new exterior, new cabin and updated engine. However, buyers interested in the stronger hybrid version will have to wait a bit, as this variant is expected to be launched about a year after the petrol and diesel models.
More competition in compact SUV segment
By then, the new Seltos will face more competition in the compact SUV segment, which will also include new rivals like the next-gen Renault Duster and the Nissan Tekton.
big and boxy design
Inspired by the Kia SUV, spy shots and teasers suggest that the second-gen Seltos will adopt a more upright and boxy stance than the current model. Its design is inspired by Kia's big SUVs like Telluride and EV9, which will have sharp lines, vertical LED daytime running lamps and connected light bars at the front and rear.
Redesigned bumpers
A new grille pattern, updated alloy wheel design and changed mirror housings complete its look. The new Seltos looks larger in size than the existing car, which can make the cabin more spacious and the boot space more useful.
New cabin layout and more features
Talking about the inside, the new Seltos will bring a big change in terms of design and quality. The dashboard will now have a more modern layout, with a large curved display that combines the digital instrument cluster and the touchscreen infotainment system, as seen in Kia's new models. Material quality and cabin insulation are expected to be better, which will increase refinement. The seats will also be more comfortable for long drives. Connectivity and safety features will also increase, although complete information about equipment, ADAS features and variant-wise features will be available only at the official launch.
Engine and Power
First the old engine, later the strong hybrid. At the time of launch, the second gen Seltos will only have the existing engine options. Buyers will get a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine (115 PS and 144 Nm), a more powerful 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Manual gearboxes and several automatic options will also continue across different trims.
powertrain
The biggest change to the powertrain line-up will be the addition of a strong hybrid, but that will come later. In this, a 1.5-liter petrol engine will be combined with an electric motor. According to reports, its combined output will be around 141 PS and 265 Nm, as is found in other hybrid models of Kia. Electric all-wheel drive system may also be available in some markets, but its chances are less in India.
price
Prices may increase compared to the current model, which currently ranges from Rs 10.79 lakh to Rs 19.80 lakh (ex-showroom). Prices for the top-spec variants may go up due to the larger body, upgraded safety kit and hybrid technology, while Kia will try to keep the base petrol trims affordable to maintain volumes. The new Seltos will have to work harder than its older version, because now more options and frequent updates are coming in this segment. The two-stage rollout, with the standard version coming first and the hybrid later, will help Kia retain customer interest in the long run and improve its positioning against its rivals. Currently, the focus is on the global and local debut in early December, which will give the first official glimpse of the SUV, which will replace one of Kia's most successful models.