2023 KIA Seltos SUV will get a more powerful petrol engine & added features. The updated SUV is scheduled to debut in India early next year.
- KIA will introduce a new 1.5-lt, turbo-petrol engine on the new SUV
- The 1.4-lt turbo-petrol engine is likely to get discontinued
- It will debut by early 2023 in India
The 1.4-lt, turbo-petrol engine of the KIA Seltos has been a delight among enthusiasts. However, the new RDE emission norms phase is going to phase out this engine soon. Meanwhile, multiple online reports are suggesting that KIA is going to introduce a new 1.5-lt engine as its replacement. Additionally, the 2023 KIA Seltos SUV will bring the latest features like the ADAS as well. Read more details about it below.
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2023 KIA Seltos Engine Details
To control the growing emissions, the government is soon going to imply the RDE 2.0 norms. As per these norms, a lot of models & engines will be axed. One such engine is the 1.4-lt turbo-petrol by KIA. This engine has been a delight for customers and enthusiasts. However, it is being reported online that this engine fails to stand on the RDE 2.0 norms. Hence, KIA has found a solution to it. KIA is going to introduce its 1.5-Lt turbo-petrol engine in India via the new Seltos. This engine is already on sale globally. It is a 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that makes 160 bhp of peak power & 260 Nm of peak torque. Meanwhile, the current 1.4-lt makes only 140 bhp & 242 Nm when compared. Hence, the updated car will be a lot more powerful.
Recently a Hyundai Creta test car was spied on in India with emission testing equipment. As Hyundai & KIA are sibling brands and share tech; it is highly speculated that the 1.5-lt is being tested. However, the 1.4-lt could've been continued if it did not require to meet the RDE 2.0 norms. To meet those norms, SCR (selective catalytic reduction) tech is required to fit in. However, SCR fitting is going to prove very costly to the company. Hence, bringing in a new engine with more power seemed right to the Koreans. Meanwhile, KIA is likely to offer the new engine with two gearbox options. These might include a 6-speed manual & a 7-speed DCT automatic transmission.
New Seltos Feature Details
KIA has been known for providing some segment-first features in its cars. Hence, the updated Seltos will not be any different. The 2023 Seltos is going to feature a level 2 ADAS. This means that it will have features like adaptive cruise control, lane assist, blind spot monitoring, & even anti-collision brake assist. In addition to these features, the new Seltos will also get a new infotainment screen with more connected tech. The updated Seltos has already become on sale in the global markets with all of these features.
Verdict
We anticipate that the new KIA Seltos will debut early next year in India. Upon its launch, it will keep rivaling the MG Astor, Maruti Grand Vitara, & Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. Its expected pricing will be more than the current model. We suspect that KIA will increase its pricing by a few thousand on each variant due to added features.
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