Rumour: Kia to discontinue Diesel MT trims of Seltos, Sonet, Carens

The 6-speed iMT has gained popularity as it is more convenient than a manual and less expensive compared to an automatic gearbox.

According to a media report, Kia might discontinue the diesel manual variants of the Seltos, Sonet and Carens later this year, leaving just the 6-speed iMT as the only manual option for diesel customers.

It is said that changing customer preferences could be the reason why Kia could stop offering the 6-speed manual transmission in its diesel variants. It would also enable the company to streamline its variant lineup with respect to market demand.

Currently, Kia offers the 1.5-litre diesel engine, which makes 113 BHP @ 4,000 rpm and 250 Nm @ 1,500-2,750 rpm. It is paired with a 6-speed manual, 6-speed iMT or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 6-speed iMT has gained popularity in recent times as it is more convenient than a manual and less expensive compared to a proper automatic gearbox.

Source: Rushlane