Kia is preparing to launch the second-generation Seltos in the British market, with an official unveiling scheduled for next autumn. This differs from the first-generation model, which was not available in European markets.
Car Design
The car is 4430 mm long and 1830 mm wide, placing it in terms of dimensions between the Stonic and the Sportage. It is also similar in size to the Niro.
Car Engine
The second-generation Seltos is expected to be equipped with either a pure petrol engine or a plug-in hybrid powertrain, unlike the Niro, which is available with either a pure electric motor or a hybrid.
Engine options include a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 146 horsepower and 179 Nm of torque, and a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine producing 177 horsepower and 265 Nm of torque. This is the same engine found in the Kia K4.
While the turbocharged engine is paired exclusively with an automatic transmission in the K4, the Seltos offers the choice of a seven-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual.
A version of the same engine producing 190 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, is also available. However, the engines and specifications for the British market have not yet been announced.
The Seltos is based on the same platform as the K3, meaning it can utilize the same 1.6-liter turbo engine and electric motor combination found in the Niro, generating a total of 139 horsepower, connected to a six-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive.
Kia is expected to reveal the Seltos’ equipment list at a later date, but it is known that some trims will include a large panoramic sunroof, ambient interior lighting, and audio systems from Harman Kardon and Bose.
Interior Design
The car will also feature twin 12.3-inch screens taken from the new K4 hatchback, along with a 5.3-inch climate control screen between them. Some models will also get a head-up display, over-the-air software update capability, and a smartphone-based digital key.
Kia
Kia is a South Korean multinational automotive manufacturer founded in 1944, originally as a maker of steel tubing and bicycle parts. It began producing automobiles in 1974 and has since grown into one of the world’s largest carmakers, known for its design and engineering.
Seltos
Seltos is a compact SUV model produced by the South Korean automaker Kia Motors, first introduced in 2019. It is named after the Greek mythological figure Celtos, son of Hercules, and was designed as a global model to appeal to urban markets with its blend of technology and style.
British market
The British Market, often referring to the historic Borough Market in London, is one of the city’s oldest and largest food markets, with a documented history dating back to at least the 12th century. It has operated at its current site near London Bridge since 1756, evolving from a general market to a renowned destination for specialty and gourmet foods.
Stonic
“Stonic” refers to the Kia Stonic, a subcompact crossover SUV produced by the South Korean automaker Kia Motors since 2017. It was introduced as a stylish and practical entry into the global small SUV market, blending Kia’s design language with urban-friendly dimensions. While not a historical or cultural site, its history is rooted in the early 21st-century automotive trend toward compact, versatile crossover vehicles.
Sportage
Sportage is a historic coastal fortress located in the city of Split, Croatia, originally built by the Republic of Venice in the 16th century to protect the port from Ottoman naval threats. Today, it is a popular cultural site and landmark, often serving as a venue for concerts and public events.
Niro
Niro is a small village in the Campania region of Italy, historically known for its production of high-quality chestnuts. Its history is deeply tied to the local agricultural traditions and the cultivation of this important food source in the mountainous area.
Kia K4
The Kia K4 is a compact sedan produced by the South Korean automaker Kia Motors, first introduced in 2014 as a replacement for the Kia Forte in certain markets. It represents Kia’s design and engineering efforts to compete in the global compact car segment, featuring updated styling and technology over its predecessors.
K3
K3 is the name given to a Bronze Age archaeological site located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. It is part of the larger Shatial rock art complex, known for its thousands of ancient petroglyphs and inscriptions carved along the historic Silk Road. The site’s carvings, dating from the first millennium BCE onwards, depict animals, symbols, and various scripts left by travelers and traders.
Harman Kardon
Harman Kardon is an American company, founded in 1953 by Sidney Harman and Bernard Kardon, that is renowned for designing and manufacturing high-fidelity audio equipment and systems. It is historically significant for producing the world’s first high-fidelity receiver, which helped popularize stereo sound for home use.
Bose
Bose is a city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China, historically known for its significant role in the Baise Uprising of 1929. This armed uprising, led by Deng Xiaoping and other communist revolutionaries, established a key Soviet base area and was a pivotal event in the early Chinese Communist revolutionary movement. Today, the city preserves this history through memorials and is also an important regional center.
K4 hatchback
The K4 hatchback is a compact car model produced by the Chinese automaker Kia, introduced as part of the Kia Cerato/Forte lineup. While not a specific cultural site, its history reflects the global automotive industry’s trend towards practical and efficient vehicles for urban markets.
