The first undisguised images of Kia's SP Concept-based SUV (codename: SP2i) have leaked online. The SUV is likely to be called Seltos.

The Kia Seltos has a tiger nose grille with a chrome frame and is flanked by LED headlights that appear to have LED daytime running lights. It has a clamshell bonnet and a dual-tone front bumper with a skid plate, a pair of LED fog lights and front parking sensors. The SUV has blacked-out B and C-pillars, black roof with roof rails and flared wheel arches. 

At the rear, the car gets a roof spoiler, a shark fin antenna, wraparound LED tail lights, silver garnish on the tailgate and a dual-tone bumper with reflectors, chrome inserts and a silver skid plate. The Seltos has black plastic cladding around the wheel arches and along the door sills. The door sills also get a piano black finish on top of the plastic cladding. The SUV rides on 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels which have a Kia logo with a red surround. The version seen here has all-wheel drive.

In India, the Kia SP2i mid-size SUV could be powered by 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines paired with either a manual or an automatic transmission. Kia could also offer a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Source: Autoblog

Earlier this month, Kia released the first design sketches of the exterior of its upcoming mid-size SUV. They have now revealed the design sketch of the interior. The SUV will be officially unveiled on June 20, 2019.

The design sketches show that the SP2i mid-size SUV comes with a dual-tone dashboard which houses a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It has a twin-dial instrument cluster with a central MID and a 3-spoke, multi-function steering wheel with buttons for cruise control and voice recognition. It also comes with paddle shifters. The car appears to be equipped with radar-guided cruise control, however, it is unclear whether this feature will be offered in India. The engine start/stop button is placed to the right of the steering wheel.

The lower portion of the centre console houses a display for the single-zone automatic climate control and a rotary controller. Buttons for auto start/stop, all-wheel drive, hill descent control, ventilated front seats and parking sensors are placed on either side of the gear selector. There is a circular controller for offroad settings on the driver's side. The sketch also shows a front centre armrest, two cup holders on the centre console, a grab handle for the passenger on the centre console and an electronic parking brake. The gear lever could get a leather boot with contrast stitching. The SUV will come with ambient lighting and is also likely to get Android Auto.

Reports suggest that the Kia SP2i mid-size SUV could be powered by 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines paired with either a manual or an automatic transmission. Kia could also offer a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Kia's first mid-size SUV for the Indian market (codenamed SP2i) will be unveiled on June 20, 2019.

Earlier this month, Kia released the first design sketches of the car. The model draws inspiration from the SP Concept and features a tiger nose grille with wraparound LED headlamps on either side. The dual-tone front bumper houses a trapezoidal air dam and a pair of fog lights. At the rear, the SP2i gets LED tail lights, dual-tone bumper with reflectors, a chrome tailgate garnish and an integrated scuff plate.

In India, Kia's first mid-size SUV could be offered with 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine options paired with manual or automatic transmission. Reports suggest that Kia might also offer a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Kia has released the first design sketches of its upcoming mid-size SUV.

The styling of the new mid-size SUV is based on the Kia SP Concept that was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo. It features Kia's tiger nose grille at the front flanked by LED headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights. The car has a dual-tone front bumper with a trapezoidal air dam and a pair of fog lamps on either side. At the rear, the SP2i has LED tail lights and a dual-tone bumper with an integrated scuff plate and a chrome bar running the width of the car. It also gets reflectors placed just below the tail lights.

Reports suggest that Kia's first mid-size SUV for India could be unveiled on June 20, 2019. It could be powered by 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines paired with manual or automatic transmissions and a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol unit mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

According to a media report, Kia is likely to unveil the production-spec SP2i SUV on June 20, 2019. It is expected to be launched in H2-2019.

Test mules of the SP2i have already been testing on Indian roads for some time now. The spy images suggest that the SUV is likely to get Kia's tiger nose grille at the front with a wide air dam. It could get ORVMs with integrated turn signals and 5-spoke alloy wheels. 

Reports suggest that the SP2i is likely to be powered by 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines paired with either a manual or automatic transmission. Additionally, a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine could also be available. It could be mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. 

Meanwhile, trial production of the SP2i has already commenced at Kia's new production facility at Ananthapur, Andhra Pradesh. 

Source: Autocar India

According to a media report, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will investigate nearly 3 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles over fire concerns, potentially prompting recalls.

The investigation was launched after the Center for Auto Safety, a consumer group petitioned the NHTSA. It is reported that incidents involving a non-crash vehicle fire have resulted in 1 death and over 100 injuries.

Affected models include the Hyundai Sonata, Santa Fe, Kia Optima, Sorento and Soul. The safety regulator said that the investigation is not restricted to engine components, but could also cover additional vehicle systems.

According to NHTSA, since 2015, over 6 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles were affected due to fire and engine problems, but only 2.4 million have been recalled. Both the South Korean carmakers have stated that they were cooperating with the authorities.

Source: BBC

Kia Motors has inaugurated its first showroom in India. Allied Motors, located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, houses sales and service facilities. 

The showroom is based on Kia's 'Red Cube' concept featuring a red fascia, side-return architecture and clean interiors. The 12,000 sq. ft. facility includes 6,000 sq. ft. of sales and display areas. The facility is also equipped with consulting areas, a lounge and cafe for customers. The showroom also has a new car delivery area and dedicated after-sales service facilities.

Kia Motors has already started trial production of its first SUV in India. The Kia SP2i SUV will be built at the Ananthapur factory, which has an annual production capacity of 3 lakh units. Full scale production is expected to begin in the second half of 2019. 

In addition to the SP2i SUV, Kia is also rumoured to introduce the Carnival MPV and a cross-hatch in the Indian market.

According to a media report, Hyundai is planning to launch two new models based on the new Santro's K1 platform in 2019. These will reportedly be the next-gen Grand i10 and a new compact SUV codenamed QX1.

Reports suggest that the K1 platform is derived from Kia's SA architecture. It is designed to be lightweight and 63% more rigid than the old small car platform to meet crash test regulations in various markets. It also supports different body styles. 

It is said that going forward, Hyundai and Kia will base their sub-4 meter models on the K1 platform. The QX1 is expected to be positioned below the Creta and is likely to compete with the Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport and Maruti Vitara Brezza. 

In addition to the new Grand i10, the second generation Xcent, which is due in 2020 will also be based on the same K1 platform.

Source: NDTV

Thanks to the Team-BHP fan (he prefers to remain anonymous) who sent this information in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via this page! 

Kia Motors India has reportedly issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) to its first 50 dealers in India. The list of newly appointed dealers includes those who already own premium car dealerships in some cities. In total, Kia will be setting up 100 dealerships by July 2019. The carmaker has also reached out to dealers in Tier 2 cities.

Kia plans to launch 5 models in India by 2021. Its first offering is expected to be a mid-sized SUV that may be launched next year. It is likely to be based on the SP Concept which was unveiled at the 2018 Auto Expo. Reports suggest that Kia is also planning to build two more models locally at its upcoming Anantapur facility, including a sub-4 metre SUV. Two more models are likely to be imported as completely knocked down units (CKD).

Kia Motors India is gearing up to unveil its SP Concept SUV at the 2018 Auto Expo. In addition to the concept car, Kia will also showcase 16 other models from its global line up including electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. The Kia Stinger sports sedan will also be on display at this year's event.

Rumours suggest that Kia's first product in India will be a mid-size SUV. The SP Concept is perhaps a preview of the model lined up for the Indian market. The teaser images indicate that the Kia SP Concept will have an upright stance with sweptback headlights in the front and a dual-tone roof with integrated roof rails along with blacked-out A, B and C-pillars. The rear features a short windshield with a spoiler on top. A chrome garnish runs across the tailgate and is placed above the wraparound tail lights. The SP Concept is likely to feature Kia's 'tiger-nose' grille and large, 5-spoke alloy wheels finished in chrome.

Meanwhile, Kia is planning to invest Rs. 12,750 crore in India over the next 2 years. Construction of its manufacturing facility in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh is already underway. Production at the new assembly unit is expected to commence in 2019. The carmaker plans to launch at least three models in the Indian market by 2022. This is likely to include a locally built mid-size SUV in addition to a hatchback and a sedan.