Volkswagen teases its Kia Seltos counterpart for India, how about the PH?

MANILA: The Kia Seltos has been welcomed by the masses around the globe with their arms wide open. Following the spy shots, teasers, and event when the SUV was caught at its commercial shoots and whatnot, the high-intensity drama, at last, came to an end last year when Kia brought out the Seltos undisguised. And, with the Seltos now gaining high popularity and giving the chart-toppers a run for their own money in various markets, the battle has become all that more stiff for other automakers, both who have already have an offering in the segment and the ones who are planning to introduce theirs.

With that said, another rival will soon join the segment courtesy of Volkswagen, the German auto giant. And, the SUV by Volkswagen will be unveiled at VE Group Night on February 3rd 2020. Speaking of the SUV's appearance, it will come sporting the likes of twin-pod LED headlamps flanking a split chrome grille, stylish LED DRLs, roof rails to enhance the SUV quotient of the vehicle. The soon to be unveiled SUV is based on the MQB A0-IN, a platform dedicated to the Indian market. Moreover, the same platform will also underpin the upcoming compact SUV by Skoda.

On the mechanical front, the compact SUV by Volkswagen will 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Customers will be able to couple this motor with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT gearbox. Both the Volkswagen and Skoda compact SUVs underpinned by the MQB A0-IN platform will take centre stage at the Auto Expo 2020, which is set to transpire from Friday, 7 February 2020 to Wednesday, 12 February 2020 at India Exposition Mart Ltd., Greater Noida, India. Volkswagen will also showcase the Tiguan Allspace, T-Roc, and the I.D. Crozz II Concept at the mega event.

Once launched, Volkswagen's offering will take on the likes of the Kia Seltos, Renault Duster, Nissan Kicks, and Hyundai Creta in the Indian market. Even though the upcoming compact SUV by Volkswagen will be based on the MQB A0-IN platform, it said to be inspired by the T-Cross, which should be launched in the Philippines soon enough as well. If that happens and the two SUVs share quite a bit of their tech and features, the T-Cross in the Philippines should also be able to give the Kia Seltos and other competitors in the segment a tough fight.

Also Read: Kia Seltos gets 5-star safety rating from ANCAP