Kia SP2i will be badged Trailster or Tusker and derive power from a 1.5-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine
Kia Motor India is all set to enter the domestic market with a bang and the promising first product waiting in the wings is the SP2i SUV. Based on the SP concept showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo, the production model could be named Trailster or Tusker and it will compete against Hyundai Creta, Tata Harrier, Nissan Kicks, upcoming MG Hector and Renault Captur in the hotly contested segment.
The South Korean auto major commenced trial production of the SP2i back in January 2019 and the latest set of spy images we brought you yesterday clearly showed that the test mule was fitted with production body. The design sketches released by Kia clearly reiterate the presence of all the design elements we already know.
The front fascia adorns a striking Tiger Nose grille emphasising the wideness of the SUV and it continues on to a pair of sleek LED headlamps with LED sequential turn indicators positioned just below. The front bumper is as equally aggressive with vertically placed fog lamps and has wide central air intake. Out the back, the SP2i features an alluring set of horizontal LED tail lamps surrounding the chrome boot garnish with Kia badge in the middle.
The design sketch also shows the presence of sharp rear view mirrors, faux underbody protecting skid plate and dual parallelogram-ish exhaust outlets. The sketches are more in line with the SP Signature concept, an evolutionary and near-production form of SP concept, displayed at the Seoul Motor Show recently.
It is no secret that the interior of the SP2i will be brimmed with features as a large floating touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity will be accompanied by reverse parking camera, 360-degree parking assist, an all-digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, Wi-Fi provision, HUD in top-spec variants, ambient lighting, use of soft-touch materials, a premium dashboard, etc.
The Kia SP2i will derive power from a 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine options with manual and automatic transmission choices. At a later stage, the premium SUV will receive a sporty variant using a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine and a paddle shifter.