Instagram user has posted spy shots of a Kia SP2i
test mule from a parking lot in South Korea. Earlier this week, Manohar Bhat,
Head of Marketing & Sales, Kia Motors India, had said that the prices of
this premium B-SUV will fall in the range of INR 9-15 lakh.
The Kia SP2i, the production version of the Kia SP
Concept that debuted at Auto Expo 2018, is scheduled to hit the Indian market
in the second half of this year. At the same time, it will go on sale in the
brand’s home market as well. In India, the production will take place at the
new manufacturing facility in Anantapur. In South Korea, local reports say that
production will take place in Gwanju. The new B-SUV is planned for the USA as
well, but not for the European markets.
The Kia SP2i sits on an upgraded version of the
Hyundai Creta’s platform. This platform is capable of spawning a seven-seater.
Kia will examine the potential for a three-row version depending on the success
of the first launch.
Kia will offer the SP2i in India with 1.5-litre
petrol and diesel engines. It may choose to bring them in BSIV-compliant form
initially, and upgrade them to meet BSVI emission norms in early 2020.
Interestingly, there’s speak of a performance variant sporting a 1.4L T-GDI
turbocharged direct injection petrol engine as well. This variant, if
confirmed, should arrive at a later stage, though.
