Kia Seltos GT Line With Diesel In the Works?

Until now, the Seltos’ GT line was expected to get only the turbocharged petrol engine

Update: Kia has launched the Seltos in India at a rather enticing starting price of Rs 9.69 lakh (introductory pricing). It is available in a massive 16 options to choose from. You can get the Seltos in two petrol and one diesel engine option along with four transmission options. Here's everything you need to know about it.  

• Kia Seltos to come in two trims: Tech Line and the sportier GT Line.

• The Tech Line includes the HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX and HTX Plus while the GT Line includes the GTK, GTX and GTX Plus.

• Tech Line to offer 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine options, while GT Line is exclusively available with the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine for now. 

• Kia may launch the diesel automatic with the GT Line, but it may not be available at launch.

• It could be priced similar to the fully loaded top-spec GT petrol automatic. 

• Kia is expected to price the Seltos in the range of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 17 lakh.

Kia Motors is expected to add yet another variant to the already expansive trim lines of the Seltos. Available in Tech and GT Lines, the latter is equipped only with a turbocharged petrol engine for now. The GT Line could get also get the option for a diesel. Bookings for the Seltos are already open for Rs 25,000 across online platforms and dealerships and the SUV will launch later this month. 

The Tech Line includes the HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX and HTX Plus while the GT Line includes the GTK, GTX and GTX Plus. The top-spec GTX+ variant is expected to get the 1.5-litre diesel with a 6-speed AT option. The diesel AT with the GTX+ variant seems to be under consideration as it has already been registered with ARAI. This fully-loaded diesel automatic variant of the Kia Seltos is unlikely to be available at launch (22 August) but expect it to debut at a later stage. 

(Pictured: Tech Line)

The Seltos is a feature-rich compact SUV but there are feature differences between the two trims. The GT Line is the better equipped of the two. Over the Tech Line, it gets side and curtain airbags, a 360-degree camera, blind view monitor system (the system relays side camera feed to the 7-inch MID when indicators are activated), a head-up display and cruise control. So, if Kia plans to launch it, you will finally have all these features with a diesel engine.

Those getting the top-spec Kia Seltos GTX+ diesel AT will also get some extra cosmetic upgrades. These include GT badge on the front grille and red accents on the faux skid plates, side sills and even the brake calipers. Inside, the GTX+ will get red contrast stitching on the steering wheel, seats as well as the gear knob along with a GT line badge on the seat backrests. GT line buyers will also have the option of an all-black interior colour scheme. 

• Kia Seltos vs MG Hector vs Tata Harrier: Power, Fuel Efficiency and Dimensions Compared

When launched, the GTX+ diesel Kia Seltos will be equipped with the same 1.5-litre 4-cylinder unit which delivers 115PS/250Nm and is mated to a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The 1.4 petrol unit offers some brilliant numbers at 140PS/242Nm and features a 7-speed DCT option along with a standard 6-speed manual.  The Kia Seltos is expected to be priced in the Rs 10 lakh to Rs 17 lakh bracket. The GTX+ diesel AT is expected to be priced pretty close to the GTX+ petrol DCT and HTX+ diesel AT which could retail for around Rs 16.50 lakh. If you’re wondering what kind of waiting period you’ll have to endure, head here.