It’s no myth: Kia surprises again with confident and hip Seltos
The inspiration for its name may be rooted in mythology, but Kia’s Seltos SUV wowed the audience with its very real looks and muscle at a grand Colombo preview befitting the debut of a new automotive deity from the pantheon of the Korean car maker.
Derived from Celtus or Celtos -- the son of Hercules -- the 2020 Kia Seltos is unashamedly confident, and is clearly the result of a marriage of bold design and delicate details, with its 140 horsepower 1.4 litre turbo-charged petrol engine and 7- speed dual-clutch automatic transmission hinting at ample power for city or wilderness, and a cabin crafted with meticulous attention to detail suggestive of a readiness for upscale adventure.
Standing apart from rivals with its strong, upright stance, the Seltos’ tall front end and high ground clearance translate to a tough attitude and a daring spirit. Its comfortable and tech- savvy cabin, a choice of two well-tested engines (a CRDi VGT 1.5 litre diesel is expected in the market soon), front and rear skid plates and black wheel arch cladding, 17-inch alloy wheels, A.B.S with Electric Stability Control and Hill Start Assist Control, all speak to off-road abilities above those of its class and size.
The gala preview accorded the Kia Seltos at the Oak Room of the Cinnamon Grand with the attendance of the diplomats, sporting legends and celebrities associated with the Kia nameplate and a cross section of Colombo’s business community, reflected the high expectations of Kia Motors (Lanka) for the new SUV – the third launched in Sri Lanka since November 2019.