Kia Motors has revealed its plans for the upcoming Auto Expo 2018, which will open its gates to the public on 9th February 2018. The automaker, which is a sister brand of Hyundai, will be showcasing a total of 16 products at the country’s most awaited automotive exhibition. Additionally, the Korean carmaker will also unveil a made-for-India crossover model, christened as the SP Concept.
Not much has been revealed about the SP Concept yet. However, speculations point towards it being a preview of Kia’s upcoming compact crossover. The production version based on this concept is expected to be launched by the end of 2019 and will likely be one of the first models from Kia in the Indian market. It is expected to compete against the likes of the Hyundai Creta and Renault Captur.
The company has released a teaser image of the SP Concept, which reveals some design elements of the concept SUV. According to this image, the Kia SP Concept is expected to get a contemporary stance with the shoulder-line gradually rising towards the end. The bonnet is expected to follow a horizontal structure, resulting in an upright nose. The SUV is expected to come with projector headlamps and LED DRLs, housed in swept-back headlight assemblies.
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Moreover, the concept car will likely come with a dual tone roof, 5-spoke alloy wheels and prominent roof rails. Other design elements expected to be seen on the Kia SP Concept in India include roof spoiler, blacked out A & B pillars, Kia’s tiger nose front grille, and LED taillights.
Kia India has already started recruiting staff for its domestic operations. The company will be investing around 12,750 crore rupees in the country, a major chunk of which will be spent on its new manufacturing facility in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. The company is expecting to start selling Kia cars in India by the end of 2019.