Kia pushes the boundaries of traditional technology with the new Seltos
Tagaytay, a popular holiday town south of Manila, with an elevation of more than 600 meters, was one of the destinations for Kia Philippines’ media drive of its new Seltos recently. More than 50 local motoring journalists, vloggers and AC Motors representatives participated in the event to try out two of the three variants of the Seltos: the 1.5 EX and 1.4 Turbo SX models. The drive afforded us the opportunity to push the vehicle literally “unto new heights” as we traversed the hilly terrains and straights of the region.
We culminated the drive in Farmstead Batangas and were able to lend our ears to the insights of AC Motors top executives.
“Kia continues to push the boundaries of traditional automotive technology. One prime example of a vehicle that we’re taking to greater heights is the Kia Seltos,” AC Motors president and CEO, Jaime Zobel de Ayala said.
“The vehicle continues to resemble Kia’s vision of continuing to deliver premium car buying and ownership experience,” he added.
“We’re excited to take every single one of you and share our vision for a better tomorrow. Here, we have people who are optimistic, progressive and have a positive mindset, willing to embrace change, driven by new ideas and seeking opportunities.”
The Seltos features a more sharpened design. Exterior details have been revamped with futuristic shapes making it a standout amid crowded field small crossovers. The larger grille highlights width and gives it a stronger appearance. This is then coupled by new LED headlamps. The so called “Star Map” signature lighting across the front fascia creates a distinct picture of the vehicle.
It now also sports a more confident and rugged stance. The vertical-shaped fog lights are integrated with daytime running lights for a suave look.
Meantime, at its rear, the lighting design and features mimic those at the front.
Inside, the cabin space offers a futuristic vibe. It comes alive with its bright screens and modern sharp looks. At the centerpiece is the “segment-first” panoramic screens, combining the 10.25-inch instrument cluster and 10.25-inch center display. Other creature comforts are added to give convenience to the vehicle’s occupants, such as: A new crash pad with a modern, bold center garnish that matches with horizontal layout while still inheriting geometric heritage; a high-tech interface for integrated control of infotainment and air conditioning features; a panoramic sunroof; dual auto A/C; wireless charging and mood lamps.
Advanced driver-assistance system features on the top-trim level include Smart Cruise Control and Forward Collision Assist.
The 1.5L MPI engine features excellent fuel efficiency and performance, while the 1.4L turbocharged engine delivers more oomph.
