Kia SP2i design sketches revealed ahead of its official unveiling

- First design sketches of Kia SUV, based on the SP Concept.

- It will be launched in India in the second half of 2019.

Kia Motors India has revealed the first design sketches of its upcoming mid-size SUV, which is internally codenamed as Kia SP2i. The sketch gives us a sneak-peak into the design of the production version of Kia SP Concept, which debuted at the 2018 Auto Expo. According to the company, the SUV is designed and developed for India’s millennial generation with a sophisticated yet modern design. Kia Motors has announced that the SUV will be revealed to the public this summer.

At the centre of the design is the wide Tiger nose grille, which is a unique design element in Kia cars worldwide. Sleek LED headlights connect the grille with 3D light graphics and integrated daytime running lights, while a separate housing incorporates the LED turn indicators. The SUV features a sculpted front bumper along with a large air-dam placed lower below, while the fog lamps get three individual LEDs. The traditional SUV design is highlighted by a long hood that has sophisticated character lines.

The Kia SP2i SUV features a strong shoulder line, along with a glasshouse that tapers towards the C-pillar.  The rear bumper gets a metallic muffler effect, which lends an air of understated sportiness to the mid-size SUV. The LED taillights are connected with a thick bar that gets a brushed aluminium finish. The reflectors are integrated into the rear bumper, while there’s also a faux skid plate.

The Kia SP2i mid-size SUV will be manufactured in India and will be exported to Kia’s global markets. It will be launched in India in the second half of 2019. The SUV will be powered by 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol and diesel engines and will be offered with automatic as well as manual gearbox options. It is expected to be priced between Rs 10 lakhs to Rs 16 lakhs (ex-showroom). The production-spec SP2i will face competition from the likes of MG Hector, Hyundai Creta, Tata Harrier, Nissan Kicks and Mahindra XUV500.