KIA SP Concept Unveiled at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo

Kia Motors has just unveiled the SP Concept. It is a compact SUV concept that will compete against Maruti Vitara Brezza.

Hyundai’s sister company Kia Motors has showcased its SP compact SUV concept at the ongoing Indian Auto Expo. The concept we see here is production ready. Just like Hyundai, even Kia likes to bestow its offerings with a premium feel and that is exactly what we get with the SP concept. The car is supposed to be Kia’s answer to Maruti’s Vitara Brezza compact SUV. The Korean automaker will be entering the Indian market next year, 2019.

Since Kia is a Hyundai subsidiary, it comes as no surprise that the SP concept will also be offered with the 1.4-litre diesel and the 1.2-litre petrol engine options which we get in the Hyundai i20. It goes without saying that these will be Kia’s equivalents of the Hyundai Motors.

Kia SP Compact SUV (rival Renault Duster) Showcased at Auto Expo

The SP concept has been designed to keep the overall kerb weight low. So, these engine options should have no problem holding their own when it comes to propelling the compact SUV and offering a relatively frugal fuel economy. The 1.2-litre petrol motor will deliver a peak power output of 81.8 bhp and 114.7 Nm of torque. The diesel engine will produce 88.73 bhp of power and 219.7 Nm of torque. The car has been showcased in a 5-seat layout and we believe little will change when it goes on sale next year.

Kia has not commented on how it is going to price the production-ready model of the SP compact SUV. We believe that with the heavy localization of its engines and other components which will make their way into the SP concept, the production cost of this car will be relatively competitive.

SP concept is a good-looking car which comes with Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille, clear surface lines, flared wheel arches, dual-tone colour scheme, an upright stance and a sloping roofline. The production-ready Kia SUV will be a sub- 4-metre offering which will compete against Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster.