It's no secret. If you've been following the latest trends with sport-utility vehicles and trucks, then by now you've probably noticed a distinct off-road theme going on.
Even if people are just shuttling their kiddos to and from school, or soccer practice, they want badass trucks.
2019 LA Auto Show
**READ the Kia Seltos' press release here!
I don't entirely get it since these modifications are purposefully designed for off-roading, but then again, one could analogize this to road-going sports cars outfitted for track duty. For the Los Angeles Auto Show, Kia did something smart.
It kitted out not one, but two, all-new Seltos SUVs so people could get an idea of what will be possible. Remember, Kia also showed off the Telluride in off-road attire before the production version was displayed.
That said, we want to know: Are the off-road Kia Seltos' STUDS or DUDS?
Kia's press release follows:
Aggressive Concepts Are Sneak Peeks Into Future of the All-New 2021 Seltos SUV
- Trail Attack Concept takes Seltos capability out of the suburbs and into parts unknown
- Urban Concept eagerly chews up the most intimidating potholes, taking on anything the mean streets can dish out
LOS ANGELES, November 20, 2019 – Moments after unveiling the all-new 2021 Seltos SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Kia Motors America (KMA) let two exciting Seltos concepts off their leash. Flanking their production counterpart on-stage, the Seltos X-Line Trail Attack Concept and Seltos X-Line Urban Concept present unique approaches to pump up capability while remaining firmly entrenched in reality. Conceived and penned at Kia Design Center America, and built by Zero to 60 Designs of Corona, CA, the concepts are meant to further convey the active lifestyles Seltos owners will embrace.
2019 LA Auto Show
“The Seltos is an exciting addition Kia’s tough and rugged lineup of Kia SUVs,” said Michael Cole, president, KMA. “But the Kia brand is always looking toward the future and we are eager to show what may wait just around the corner. These new concepts are meant to get the creative juices flowing and illustrate what the ultimate Seltos could be.”
While the production Seltos is planned to go on-sale in the first quarter of 2020, there are currently no plans to produce either concept. But it is worthy to mention that Kia said the same about the GT Concept and the Telluride Concept, both of which eventually found their way onto driveways across America in the form of the Stinger sport sedan and Telluride SUV.
Seltos X-Line Trail Attack Concept
Small SUVs are perfect for city slickers. But even urbanites like to occasionally take the road less traveled and that’s what the Trail Attack Concept is all about. The custom two-tone paint scheme evokes a stirring desert sunset and the eight ultra-bright Hella auxiliary lights mounted on the front bumper and roof light up the night once the sun dips below the dunes.
Equipped with electronic AWD, the center differential lock equally distributes power between the front and rear axles and the custom 2-inch lift kit raises ground clearance to 9.2-inches. Knobby off-road tires with 17x8–inch custom painted alloy wheels help improve off-road traction and security. A hidden winch behind the front valance can assist in particularly tough off-road situations, while a custom fabricated roof rack means the Trail Attack Concept never runs out of utility.
Powered by an unaltered 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Trail Attack Concept is good for 175-horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque through a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. Behind the heavily tinted windows, the Trail Attack Concept retains its purposeful and refined production interior.
Seltos X-Line Urban Concept
The city can often feel as rough and tumble as the most challenging off-road trail and the Urban Concept is the perfect companion for such mean streets. Inspired by the imposing glass and steel skyscrapers of New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, the Urban Concept’s custom slate gray paint scheme is highlighted by a gloss-black roof panel for a splash of stark modernity.
Fear of potholes become a thing of the past with the custom 2-inch lift, which also helps to raise the seating position and offer a better vantage point around the snarled city traffic all too common these days. Electronically controlled AWD with torque vectoring puts power through the 17x8-inch alloy wheels where it’s needed most: to the tire with optimum traction. Resting below the custom hood complete with integrated intake is the same powerplant found in the Trail Attack Concept, offering authoritative acceleration away from stoplights… instead of scorpions.
Up top, four high-powered Hella auxiliary lights cut through low-hanging city fog and the custom fabricated roof rack will hold all the extra stuff any apartment dweller can amass. Already packed with high-tech features, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, and backup camera, the interior has been left to already impressive production standards.
2019 LA Auto Show
