By Moses Akaigwe
“The Seltos is an important car for Kia as it will play a central role in the expansion of our footprint, and especially in a priority market like Nigeria. We’ve adapted our strengths in design, quality and technology to fulfil the needs of customers in the Nigerian market.”
That was how the managing director of Kia Nigeria, Jacky Hathiramani, described the all-new Kia Seltos recently introduced into the Nigerian market by his company, which assembles and sells the brand’s vehicles through a network of showrooms and after-sales facilities.
Hathiramani hinted that Seltos is being aimed at youthful, tech-savvy buyers and is packed full of the most cutting-edge auto technology and safety equipment.
The new kid on the block is the latest addition to Kia’s fast growing small crossover SUV lineup – a little longer than the Soul, but not as big or as expensive as the Sportage.
At a media launch organised by Kia Nigeria at its showroom on Adeola Odeku/Akin Adesola streets in Victoria Island, Lagos, the new Kia Seltos was presented as an offering that brings an array of innovations and safety features to the global compact SUV segment.
Moreover, the Kia representative in Nigeria said the all-new SUV is characterised by “distinctive design details, lending the compact SUV an air of sportiness. It also combines forward-looking technical features and impressive safety features, and is powered by a choice of highly-efficient Smartstream petrol and diesel engines.”
The Seltos provides outstanding value for money – thanks to a range of features that maximise connectivity and safety, a roomy interior that seats five people in comfort, and high levels of space and versatility.
Exterior design
The Seltos stands apart from its rivals with thanks to its sophisticated, sporty design and the space and capabilities of a traditional SUV – all in a compact package
It offers distinctive exterior design details, such as its long hood, a strong, character line on the front bumper, and sharp lines pressed into the bodywork. It also sports a wide ‘tiger nose grille’, making the car instantly recognizable as a Kia, but with a difference. Its robust shoulder line and glasshouse shape, which tapers towards the rear of the car, lends the compact SUV an air of understated sportiness. The rear bumper with a metallic muffler effect accentuates this dynamic appearance.
The Seltos sits on a choice of 16-, 17- or 18-inch premium crystal cut alloy wheels, which complement the dimensions of the car, lending it a powerful stance.
Interior design
The interior of the Seltos is designed with high-quality, futuristic materials. Aimed at youthful, tech-savvy buyers, the cabin is characterised by broad, sweeping shapes and highly technical details. Equipped with a range of technologies to maximize convenience, connectivity and ease of use, the bold design of the cabin incorporates a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The ergonomics of the cabin allows the driver to sit comfortably with a commanding view, helping to focus on driving and naturally reduce fatigue.
Within the lounge-like and spacious interior, the vehicle also houses an available 8.0-inch Head-Up Display system which unobtrusively projects relevant driving information on to a small glass panel behind the steering wheel – such as turn-by-turn navigation directions and vehicle speed information.
Performance
The Seltos comes equipped with a range of newly developed third-generation powertrains for high efficiency and powerful performance. All powertrains are engineered with Kia’s Smartstream technology for improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
Powerplant options nclude a 1.6-litre T-GDI turbocharged gasoline engine producing 177 PS; a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated gasoline engine producing 149 PS; and a 1.6-liter diesel engine producing 136 PS. For the Nigerian market, the Seltos will be offered with automatic transmission options to suit customers’ needs and driving style – a six-speed automatic transmission (6AT) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) .
To further elevate the driving experience, the crossover SUV is equipped with a Drive Mode Select system that lets drivers adapt the car to their preferred style or the road conditions. Drivers can choose from ‘Normal’, ‘Eco’ and ‘Sport’ mode.
The Eco mode is tuned to maximize vehicle range by using fuel-saving measures, while Sport mode increases responses from the steering and electric motor to maximize the dynamic driving feel of the car. Normal mode provides a careful balance between the two.
Technologies, features
The Seltos is a technologically advanced and refined compact SUV equipped with a range of market and world-first features designed to make driving safer and less stressful, while also providing total ease of operation.
The car’s 10.25-inch advanced infotainment system is packed full of technological features and gives advanced split-screen functionality. This allows users to control or monitor numerous vehicle features at the same time, and customize the screen to display up to three applications simultaneously. The driver, therefore, can choose to have a single display (such as navigation) or combine different elements on-screen.
The car also offers Kia’s innovative UVO CONNECT telematics system. UVO CONNECT is designed to bring driving into the digital era, connecting drivers to the world around and providing useful information – via the in-car touchscreen, and compatible smartphones.
Safety
Kia’s passive and active safety systems ensure that Seltos occupants remain well protected on every journey.
The Seltos’ body is made up of a blend of steel and aluminium, maximising torsional rigidity while keeping body weight low. With a high proportion of Advanced High-Strength Steel components, the rigid bodyshell reduces road vibrations and enhances occupant safety in the event of a collision.
It boasts six airbags, as well as a suite of electronic vehicle safety systems. These include Kia’s Vehicle Stability Management system as standard, incorporating traction control and electronic stability control.
The car is fitted with an Anti-lock Braking System, a Traction Control System, a Brake-force Assist System and Hill-start Assist Control, as well as front and rear parking sensors, for assistance when parking.