Kia Seltos 2020 gains serious off-road packages

Kia has wowed onlookers at the Los Angeles motor show by revealing two off-road-focused Seltos X-Line concepts, although neither of the small SUVs are planned to enter production.

Built by California-based automotive modification specialist Zero to 60 Designs, the Trail Attack and Urban concepts take the Seltos launched last month in Australia to the next level.

The Trail Attack looks to defy expectations by taking the Seltos out of its usual home in the city and putting it into unfamiliar off-road environments.

Motivated by an unchanged 130kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, the Trail Attack features a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system with a central differential lock that evenly splits outputs between its front and rear axles, so it won’t be completely out of place off the beaten track.

The X-Line is said to be “inspired by the imposing glass and steel skyscrapers of New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco”.

This capability is further enhanced by a custom two-inch lift kit that raises ground clearance to 9.2 inches (234mm), while off-road tyres wrapped around 17-inch alloy wheels help to improve traction.

Eight ultra-bright Hella auxiliary lights are mounted on the front bumper and roof to ensure good visibility at night, while two winches are located at the front if the Trail Attack gets itself stuck while going cross-country.

Read More: Kia Seltos 2020 pricing and specs

Kia Seltos 2020 pricing and specs

A custom-fabricated roof rack completes the Trail Attack’s upgrades alongside two-tone paintwork that “evokes a stirring desert sunset”, according to the South Korean brand.

Said to be “inspired by the imposing glass and steel skyscrapers of New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco”, the aptly named Urban eliminates the fear of potholes and creates a more command seating position with the aforementioned lift kit.

The X-Line has been fitetd with a two-inch lift kit.

A bit of visual spice comes courtesy of the Urban’s functional bonnet scoop that helps to cool its powertrain, which is shared with the Trail Attack.

The Urban also gets gold-coloured 17-inch alloy wheels shod in off-road rubber, four roof-mounted Hella auxiliary lights, two front winches and its own unique roof rack as well as Slate Grey paintwork with a contrasting gloss-black roof and gold trim.

Either way, Kia says the concepts “present unique approaches to pump up capability while remaining firmly entrenched in reality”.