(SEOUL) 20 June 2019 – The new KIA Seltos brings sophistication, assertiveness and cutting-edge technology and safety features to the global compact SUV segment. KIA revealed the Seltos for the first time globally today at a special event in Delhi, India.

The Seltos will be manufactured for different regions at two of KIA’s production facilities – in Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India, and Gwangju, Korea. A new entrant into the Indian market, KIA plans to commence retail sales in the country with the highest number of dealerships ever seen from a new car entrant into the market. Kia has also partnered with India’s eight leading financial institutions to offer comprehensive financial services to customers across the country.

The all-new KIA Seltos is characterised by distinctive design details, lending the compact SUV an air of understated sportiness. It combines forward-looking technical features, class-leading space and a suite of world-class safety features, and is powered by a choice of highly-efficient Smartstream petrol and diesel engines, while providing outstanding value for money.

Mr. Han-Woo Park, President and CEO, KIA Motors Corporation, commented: “The Seltos is an important car for KIA as it will play a central role in the expansion of our global footprint.

Exterior design: A sporty and sophisticated compact SUV

The Seltos stands apart from its rivals with thanks to its sophisticated, sporty design and the space and capabilities of a traditional SUV – all in a compact package.

The Seltos offers distinctive exterior design details, such as its long hood, a strong, character line on the front bumper, and sharp lines pressed into the bodywork. It also sports a wide ‘tiger nose grille’, making the car instantly recognizable as a KIA, but with a difference. Its robust shoulder line and glasshouse shape, which tapers towards the rear of the car, lends the compact SUV an air of understated sportiness. The rear bumper with a metallic muffler effect accentuates this dynamic appearance.

Seltos is equipped with intricate and sharply designed full LED headlights and taillights, providing the car with a commanding and confident presence on the road. For daytime driving, the car also has LED daytime running lights and rear lamps, and 3D multi-layer indicators to make it clear exactly where the Seltos is heading. For driving in foggy conditions, the car is also equipped with LED fog lights.

The Kia Seltos sits on a choice of 16-, 17- or 18-inch premium crystal cut alloy wheels, which complement the dimensions of the car, lending it a powerful stance. The wheels are shod with high-grip 205/60 R16, 215/55 R17 or 235/45 R18 tyres.

Interior design: A forward-looking interior characterised by futuristic and high-quality materials

The interior of the Seltos is designed with high-quality, futuristic materials. Aimed at youthful, tech-savvy buyers, the cabin is characterised by broad, sweeping shapes and highly technical details. Equipped with a range of technologies to maximise convenience, connectivity and ease of use, the bold design of the cabin incorporates, in some models, a 10,25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and Sound Mood Lighting.

The ergonomics of the cabin allow the driver to sit comfortably with a commanding view, helping to focus on driving and naturally reduce fatigue. Within the lounge-like and spacious interior, the Seltos also houses, in some models, an 8,0-inch Head-Up Display system which unobtrusively projects relevant driving information on to a small glass panel behind the steering wheel – such as turn-by-turn navigation directions and vehicle speed information.

Higher specification models are also available with a premium eight-speaker Bose audio system delivering clear, lifelike sound to all Seltos passengers.

Performance


A range of highly efficient Smartstream petrol and diesel engines


The Seltos comes equipped with a range of newly developed third-generation powertrains for high efficiency and powerful performance. All powertrains – which include normally aspirated as well as turbocharged petrol engines, as well as turbocharged diesel options – are engineered with KIA’s Smartstream technology for improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

Depending on the market, the Seltos will be offered with up to three automatic transmission options to suit their needs and driving style, including a seven speed dual clutch transmission (7DCT), a six-speed automatic transmission (6AT) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) .
To further elevate the driving experience, the Seltos is equipped with a Drive Mode Select system that lets drivers adapt the car to their preferred style or the road 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.

Technologies and features: Market and world-first features in its segment

The Seltos is a technologically advanced and refined compact SUV equipped with a range of market and world-first features designed to make driving safer and less stressful, while also providing total ease of operation.

The car’s 10,25-inch advanced infotainment system is packed full of technology and gives advanced split-screen functionality. This allows users to control or monitor numerous vehicle features at the same time, and customize the screen to display up to three applications simultaneously. The driver, therefore, can choose to have a single display (such as navigation) or combine different elements on-screen.

Other segment-first features include a Bose eight-speaker premium sound system that fills the car with a rich and immersive sound, taking in-car entertainment to a new level.

The cabin is also fitted with an optional Sound Mood Lighting system, emitting soft light from panels in the doors. This includes a unique 3D-patterned surface on the door panels. The Sound Mood Lighting system pulses in time to the beat of music playing through the audio system, with eight customisable colours and six themes illuminating the cabin.

Safety: Full range of advanced active safety systems available

KIA’s passive and active safety systems ensure that Seltos occupants remain well protected on every journey. Its body is made up of a blend of steel and aluminium, maximising torsional rigidity while keeping body weight low. With a high proportion of Advanced High-Strength Steel components, the rigid bodyshell reduces road vibrations and enhances occupant safety in the event of a collision.

The Seltos is fitted with six airbags, as well as a suite of electronic vehicle safety systems. These include KIA’s Vehicle Stability Management system as standard, incorporating traction control and electronic stability control. Depending on model and market, the car is also fitted with an Anti-lock Braking System, a Traction Control System, a Brake-force Assist System and Hill-start Assist Control, as well as front and rear parking sensors.

Built in Korea and India

KIA Seltos production will be based at two of KIA’s production facilities – in Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India, and in Gwangju, Korea. Sales will commence in select global markets in the second half of 2019.
The all-new KIA Seltos is expected to make its South African debut early in 2020.


Editor’s note:

All features and specifications in this release is applicable to the global market, and cannot be confirmed for South Africa at this point in time. More information about the local Seltos line-up will be announced closer to its launch date.