Kia Seltos, which has turned up as one of the most selling models in its segment, will soon get a 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) with its 1.5-litre diesel powertrain. It is expected to be launched by mid-2022. Currently, only its 1.5-litre petrol mill comes with the optional iMT unit.
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For those who aren't aware, the Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) is essentially a manual gearbox that has an automated clutch. That said, it comes with a conventional gear lever but with no clutch pedal. So, you can shift the gears like you traditionally do but without pressing any clutch. And an electronic device (hydraulic clutch actuator) engages/disengages the clutch plate for you when the gear is shifted up or down. Click here to know more about the working of iMT.
With the introduction of iMT, it will become the third transmission option for the oil burner. As of now, the Seltos diesel comes with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. It makes 115PS of maximum power and 250Nm of peak torque.
Kia also offers the Seltos with 1.4-litre turbocharged (140PS/242Nm) and 1.5-litre naturally aspirated (115PS/144Nm) petrol mills. Both engines get a 6-speed manual transmission as standard along with optional 7-speed DCT for turbocharged motor and a CVT & iMT units for the naturally aspirated gasoline motor. Their claimed fuel efficiency figures are as follows: –
| Powertrain | Claimed Mileage |
| 1.5-litre petrol-manual | 16.5kmpl |
| 1.5-litre petrol-CVT | 16.8kmpl |
| 1.4-litre turbo-petrol-DCT | 16.5kmpl |
| 1.4-litre turbo-petrol-manual | 16.1kmpl |
| 1.5-litre diesel-automatic | 18kmpl |
| 1.5-litre diesel-manual | 21kmpl |
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We expect the Seltos diesel-iMT variants will command a premium of around Rs 40,000 over their corresponding manual versions. That said, the Kia Seltos diesel (manual) is currently priced from Rs 10.65 lakh to Rs 15.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Once launched, it will make the SUV a stronger contender against its core rivals like Volkswagen Taigun, Hyundai Creta, MG Astor, Nissan Kicks, Skoda Kushaq, and Maruti S-Cross.
