Kia Reveals SP2i Design Sketches! Stays True To Original Concept

• Sketches show the front and the rear of the production-spec model.
• Highlights include the quintessential tiger-nose grille up front along with sleek LED DRLs.
• Sketches also highlight the wide stance of the SUV. 
• SP2i to be called either the Tusker or the Trailster.
• To be offered with BS6-ready 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines in India.
• Launched expected by September this year.

Kia’s innings in India is set to start soon with the launch of the much-awaited compact SUV based on the SP Concept, which was first unveiled at the 2018 Auto Expo. Codenamed the SP2i in India, the all-new SUV is almost ready to hit the market and today, Kia has released the first official design sketches of the Hyundai Creta rival.

From the looks of it, the latest offering in the highly competitive compact SUV segment is shaping up to be quite a looker. The sketches of the production version reveal that Kia has tried to incorporate most of the design elements we saw and appreciated in the SP Concept. It gets the famed tiger-nose grille up front, giving it a distinctive look. Flanking the wide grille are the extended LED bands which are placed above the sleek headlights which have a unique signature.

We already saw most of these design elements on the near-production SP Signature concept as well and it is nice to see that Kia has retained them in the final production version as well. Not only do they give the SUV a premium appeal, they also provide a solid character. Even the bumper at the front has a chunky look to it. It houses vertically stacked fog lamps along with a skid plate, which is bound to enhance the SUV’s road presence.

Come to the rear and the sketches highlight the overall wide stance of the upcoming SUV. Expected to be wider and larger than the Hyundai Creta, the SP2i gets a split tail lamp setup at the rear, like many modern and premium SUVs. It also features a unique LED signature in the tail lights, giving it a distinctive look. The Kia badge sits bang in the middle of the tailgate and is likely to get a chrome surrounds. Look a little lower and you’ll find dual faux exhausts lined with what might be chrome accents again. The rear bumper also houses a skid plate to maintain the rugged SUV appeal.

While that is all the sketches have revealed, we already know from the spy shots of the test mules that the SUV will get machine-cut, multi-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels, a shark fin antenna and disc brakes on all four wheels. Expected to be called the Trailster or the Tusker in India, the SUV will get both petrol and diesel engines at launch. Kia has already stated that these will be a set of BS6-ready 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines. While there is no confirmation yet, it can also spawn a plug-in hybrid version of the SUV in the future.

Also Read : Kia SP Signature Revealed: Near Production Version Of India-bound SP2i

Expected to be launched by September this year, the first-ever offering from Kia in the country looks to disrupt the already booming compact SUV segment. When launched, it will not only face stiff competition from its Hyundai cousin, it will also look to outsell the likes of the Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, Nissan Kicks, and the Renault Duster. Expected to be priced between Rs 10 lakh to Rs 16 lakh (ex-showroom), it would also have mid-size SUVs like the Tata Harrier and the upcoming MG Hector in its sights.