SPIED: Kia Seltos – production SP Signature caught!

SPIED: Kia Seltos – production SP Signature caught!

It’s always a risk when carmakers shoot advertisements for their yet-to-be-revealed cars in public areas, as trigger-happy photographers are always waiting to snap these cars and leak them – sometimes months in advance. Kia learnt this the hard way, as it was caught with its pants down when our spies managed to snag photos of its upcoming B-segment crossover completely undisguised.

Aside from uncovering the entire design, these photos also revealed the finalised name of the car that was previewed by the SP and SP Signature concepts – the Seltos. As reported earlier, it will be a global model that will be sold everywhere except Europe, where the Stonic already exists. It’s a similar situation to the company’s C-segment offerings, with the Ceed sold in Europe and the Cerato in the rest of the world.

The funky design of the Seltos is remarkably faithful to the SP Signature, itself a more production-ready version of the SP. The front end remains its most distinctive detail, with slim LED headlights – slightly larger than on the concepts – leading into the “tiger nose” grille, plus larger main lamp units that sit directly underneath. The bone-shaped bumper design has also been retained and now house vertical LED fog lights.

SPIED: Kia Seltos – production SP Signature caught!

Also retained is the dramatic upswept window line which, combined with the contrasting black roof of this car, is rather reminiscent of the Volvo XC40. As usual, the concepts’ impractical door mirrors have been replaced by bigger items, and while the intricate two-tone alloy wheels have a similar design, they now measure 18 inches instead of 19. The broad two-piece tail lights and fake twin tailpipes are carried over.

The interior has yet to be seen, but sketches released by the South Korean carmaker show a contemporary design with a freestanding infotainment display, metallic highlights in the air vents and a centre console that features what appears to be a prominent grab handle for the front passenger. Kia says that the Seltos will also get the Soul’s Sound Mood Lighting system, which pulsates according to the music.

Like the Stonic, the Seltos is expected to be based on the Rio and should be offered with some of the same engines. These include 1.25 and 1.4 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engines, a 1.0 litre turbo three-pot petrol and a 1.6 litre four-pot turbodiesel.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Celup King on Jun 03, 2019 at 11:36 am

    Hello new Peugeot… wait a minute here…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
    • Asam pedas on Jun 03, 2019 at 1:46 pm

      This is so stunning! What a mind blowing design! If only Proton had fired their current game over designers, they can design something like this with their new world-class designers

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 10
      • Copy Pasta on Jun 03, 2019 at 6:31 pm

        sell here below 47k.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
      • ThAboIt on Jun 10, 2019 at 11:10 pm

        There’s always this “if only Proton.. ” comments literally on every news! I won’t be surprised that if J.Bieber release a new vid on ytube, at least one of the comment would be “if only Proton.. ” .. For what reason? NONE! Just a hobby of comparing Proton with everything.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • suomynona on Jun 03, 2019 at 5:33 pm

      Haha it does look like a Pug, minus the Fangs

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
      • Celup King on Jun 04, 2019 at 10:07 am

        The fangs are there intruding into the headlamps if you look closely.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Kerry Thong on Jun 03, 2019 at 11:37 am

    I am very disappointed. “Our spies” – please give credit to the actual phototaker, Chris Doane Automotive. Very, very, very disappointing.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 6
    • Hafriz Shah (Member) on Jun 03, 2019 at 12:05 pm

      We obtained the images through CarPix, a European-based spy photo agency which we are subscribed to. We have the rights to use these images, including watermarking them.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 0
      • Kerry Thong on Jun 03, 2019 at 12:56 pm

        Thank you for clarifying as I saw these photos On autoblog on 31 May attributed to Chris Doane.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Haf bro. Perhaps a disclaimer at the bottom for pics that you guys bought from whom wud clarify matters.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Celup King on Jun 03, 2019 at 11:39 am

    Kia copy Proton X50 ,

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 14
  • seancorr (Member) on Jun 03, 2019 at 11:49 am

    I have to admit the drawings look better. There’s too much going on at the front.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
    • suomynona on Jun 03, 2019 at 5:49 pm

      Honestly, half the cars have too much going on in front imo. It’s just a matter of which one you like

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Maybe Kia purposely exposed it so that the potential buyers will hold on to their money if they like the soon to be released model.

    I personally waited for more than a year for my CX-3 before it finally came to Malaysia.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Kia copy from Geely BinYue/ Proton X50.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 12
 

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