Kia India gained media attention when it decided to bring back the manual gearbox-equipped Seltos diesel and this move was made to increase the SUV's adaptability and provide customers with more options. Priced competitively from Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom), the latest variant seamlessly joins the recently refreshed Seltos line-up, adding yet another dimension to the driving experience by expanding the range of transmission options.
Diverse Transmission Choices
With the launch of the 6-speed manual gearbox in the Seltos diesel Kia is demonstrating its dedication to offering customers a wide range of transmission choices. The Seltos now stands as a beacon of versatility offering a manual transmission, intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT), torque converter automatic, CVT automatic (IVT), and DCT automatic gearbox options, and this strategic move ensures that Kia caters to a broad spectrum of driving preferences and needs.
Strategic Pricing Structure
Kia has strategically priced the Seltos Diesel-MT across its variant range, making it an enticing choice for consumers seeking the engaging experience of a manual transmission. The pricing breakdown (ex-showroom, India) reflects a careful consideration of market dynamics and competitive positioning:
Market Dynamics and Segment Strategy
The temporary withdrawal of the Seltos diesel-manual from the Indian market last year was a strategic move by Kia India to promote iMT gearbox-equipped SUVs. However, the evolving market dynamics and consumer preferences prompted a reassessment of this strategy. With the recent facelift of the Creta, Kia's rival, introducing a diesel-manual variant, Kia recognized the need to reintroduce the manual option and this decision aligns with Kia's commitment to adapting to market demands and maintaining competitiveness.
Engine Power and Feature Richness
Powering the Seltos diesel-MT is the robust 116hp, 1.5-litre engine, a stalwart powerplant shared with various Kia and Hyundai models, including the Creta. The feature list for the Seltos diesel-MT mirrors that of its automatic counterparts ensuring that consumers enjoy a comprehensive set of amenities. Notable features include a panoramic sunroof, an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) bundle, six airbags, 360-degree cameras, dual-zone climate control, a heads-up display, two 10.25-inch screens, and a premium Bose-tuned 8-speaker music system.
Variant Availability and Competitive Positioning
The Seltos diesel-MT is available across multiple variants, namely HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX, and HTX+. The top-spec trim is attractively priced at Rs 18.28 lakh, positioning it strategically slightly below the top-spec Creta diesel-MT, which is priced at Rs 18.74 lakh (ex-showroom). Notably, Kia has chosen not to introduce this powertrain option on the Seltos GT Line and X-Line variants.
Sales Milestone and Future Outlook
In addition to this announcement, Kia shared that it has achieved a significant sales milestone by selling over 65,000 units of the facelifted Seltos since its launch in July last year. The Seltos diesel-MT is already open for bookings, with deliveries scheduled to commence next month and this sales milestone underscores the model's popularity and acceptance among Indian consumers.
Strategic Move for Market Fortification
With the reintroduction of the Seltos diesel-MT, Kia aims to fortify its position in the highly competitive SUV market. By providing a wide array of transmission options Kia can accommodate a variety of driving styles and continue to be popular in the constantly changing automotive market.