Kia SP2i SUV will be priced at a slight premium over the Hyundai Creta, which will help Kia India to project itself as a more premium alternative to its sister concern
Kia India will soon launch the production version of the SP concept SUV that it showcased at the last year’s Auto Expo. While the new SUV will be a global model, it will cater to the whims and fancies of the Indian car buyers. Currently known as the Kia SP2i (codename), the new model is expected to be revealed at the New York Auto Show next month.
The trial production of the Kia SP2i is already underway at the company’s manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh, India. The SUV will be a premium offering with some segment-first features that will help the company justify the higher price tag than rivals.
The exterior of the Kia SP2i SUV will have a modern and bold look, with its front-end carrying the most interesting elements – the signature Tiger Nose and a stylish multi-tier lighting arrangement. Other than this, the new SUV is even expected to offer segment-leading tyre size and stylish alloy wheels in a gunmetal grey finish. In the future, the company will even release a sportier version, which will come with a body kit.
The interior of the Kia SP2i will be adequately spacious for five occupants. It will come loaded with some segment-first features, like a large size touchscreen infotainment system, a 360-degree camera, wireless charging and in-car WiFi. This is not all as the SUV is even expected to offer a head-up display, ambient lighting and an all-digital instrument cluster. The automatic version could even get paddle-shifters.
Powering the Kia SP2i will be BSVI-ready 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines. The petrol motor will be available with both manual and automatic options, while both the petrol and diesel motors will come mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The performance-focused version that will be launched later will be powered by a 140 bhp 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine.
The Kia SP2i will be launched in the Indian market sometime in the second half of this year, probably in the month of July. As per the company, the new model will be sold in a price bracket of INR 10-16 lakh (ex-showroom). The Kia SP2i will not only compete with the top models of the Hyundai Creta but will even rival the Renault Captur, Tata Harrier, Nissan Kicks, and low-spec models of the Jeep Compass and MG Hector.