Ever since it debuted at the 2018 Auto Expo in concept form, the Kia SP SUV has attracted plenty of attention. Set to become Kia’s first model for India, the SP SUV (which could be named ‘Trailster’) has been spotted testing numerous times, and now, sources have confirmed the Kia SP’s India reveal will take place on June 20, 2019, ahead of its market launch later in the year.
The production-spec SP SUV is expected to remain largely similar to the Kia SP Signature concept, which was revealed at the 2019 Seoul motor show. The SP Signature SUV was labelled a concept, but a closer look will tell you it was only thinly disguised as a show car. It featured small, fancy-looking ORVMs and 19-inch alloy wheels (the production model will to get 17-inch alloys), but the Kia SP Signature – sporting a number of notable changes over the SP Concept we saw at the 2018 Auto Expo – effectively previewed the Kia SP SUV that will go on sale in India later this year.
Retaining the bold ‘Tiger Nose’ grille and sharp-looking LED lights (connected by a light bar atop the grille), the Kia SP – like the Signature concept – is likely to get a contrast roof, slim LED fog lamps, pull-type door handles (unlike the flush-fitting examples seen on the original Kia SP Concept), a different look for the D-pillar, prominent roof rails, a chunkier chrome bar connecting the mildly reshaped tail-lights and a tweaked design for the faux exhaust garnish and rear diffuser.
The Kia SP’s interior is expected to be well-appointed and will get a handful of segment-first features as well. Equipment on offer is likely to include a large touchscreen infotainment system, a 360-degree camera, wireless charging and in-car WiFi. A head-up display, an ambient lighting package and a fully digital instrument cluster (as seen on the concept) will also likely be on offer on the top-spec variant.
At launch, the Kia SP’s engine options are expected to include a 1.5-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Both engine options are likely to be BS-VI-ready, but could be BS-IV-compliant at launch. Both engines will be available with a choice of manual and automatic gearboxes, and Kia is even said to be working on a sportier variant of the SP SUV, with a 140hp, 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox with paddle shifters.
When it is launched in the months following its India reveal, the Kia SP’s price is expected to be in the range of Rs 10-16 lakh (ex-showroom). At that price point, the SP will rival the Hyundai Creta, Nissan Kicks, Renault Captur, Tata Harrier, and even the lower variants of the Jeep Compass and the upcoming MG Hector.
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