São Paulo-based digital artist Kleber Silva has shared an interesting Kia Seltos pickup truck render on his Behance profile, KDesign AG
South Korean automaker Kia Motors introduced its popular compact crossover, Seltos as the SP Concept back at Auto Expo 2018. Eventually, the vehicle debuted across the globe in three formats: SP, SP2i (Indian spec) and SP2c (Chinese spec). Needless to say, it was an instant success in our market.
Kia Motors India has also updated the BS6-compliant Seltos for the 2020 model year. It shares its internals with Hyundai Motor India’s latest-generation Creta. The company has only three products in its portfolio: Seltos compact crossover, Carnival minivan (new generation debuted globally) and Sonet sub-four-metre crossover (launching soon).
Besides the Hyundai Creta, Kia Motors India’s very first product primarily rivals (or acts as an alternative to) the Nissan Kicks, Renault Duster, MG Hector and Tata Harrier. Citroen India’s maiden product, C5 Aircross will join the list as well. Meanwhile, a three-row extended version of the Hyundai Creta is in the works. Dubbed Alcazar, it could even make way for an all-new 7-seater Seltos. Yet the idea does not seem as interesting as the one showcased here.
Kia Seltos Crew Cab pickup
Kleber Silva, an automotive digital artist based in São Paulo, Brazil has imagined the Kia Seltos in a convincing pickup format. He has shared the same on his Behance profile, KDesign AG. Over the months, we have shared multiple works from Kleber including the Hyundai Alcazar.
Simply named ‘Kia Seltos Pickup’, KDesign AG’s latest work borrows various styling bits from FCA Group’s Fiat Toro pickup (based on the Jeep Compass’ Small Wide 4×4 platform). They include almost the entire side-section, roof rails, etc. The vehicle sits on 18-inch OEM five-spoke wheels (Indian model gets 17-inchers). Viewed from the front quarter, the crew cab pickup ‘arguably’ looks better than its original crossover or urban SUV avatar.
However, the rear quarter looks a bit weird. A pickup truck should ideally have vertical tail lamps that do not extend into the tailgate (which would do well with branding in bold) or have them as a full horizontal bar (like on the all-electric Rivian R1T). Almost all mainstream pickup trucks are either RWD or AWD, but emerging markets see newer, compact models with front-wheel-biased AWD or even FWD. Modern examples include the Fiat Toro and Honda Ridgeline.
Kia Seltos – Engine & specs
The Indian-spec 2020MY Kia Seltos comes with three BS6-compliant engines: 138bhp/242Nm 1.4-litre T-GDI turbo petrol (6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT), 113bhp/144Nm 1.5-litre MPI NA petrol (6-speed manual or CVT) and 113bhp/250Nm 1.5-litre CRDi diesel (6-speed manual or 6-speed AT). On the other hand, the US-spec 2021MY Kia Seltos has two options: 147bhp/179Nm 2.0-litre MPI NA petrol (CVT) and 175bhp/265Nm 1.6-litre T-GDI turbo petrol (7-speed DCT).
