Kia X-Line trademarked Down Under

Kia has trademarked its rugged and sports-themed ‘X-Line’ nameplate and badge with IP Australia, opening up the possibility of more high-end variants of virtually every Kia model making their way Down Under.

Indeed it remains to be seen exactly what Kia Australia has in store for the nameplate, which was filed with Australia’s trademark office on February 10 exclusively under Class 12 (automobiles; sports cars; vans; trucks; motor buses; electric cars), if anything beyond intellectual property security.

The popular Korean auto brand’s X-Line badge has different meanings depending on which model it adorns the rear-end of in other markets.

In the case of the Kia Sorento, it denotes a series of more adventure-minded touches headlined by a 25mm suspension lift, while on the Kia Seltos it represents little more than a rugged cosmetic makeover.

The most recent application of the nameplate was on the back of the just-debuted Kia Sportage plug-in hybrid, a vehicle/powertrain that’s more likely to materialise in Australia as a top-spec GT-Line as per the Sorento PHEV.

If there are some concrete plans afoot, then Kia could be plotting rivals for SUVs with enhanced off-road looks and/or capabilities like the Jeep Compass and Cherokee Trailhawks, as well as the upcoming Subaru Wilderness portfolio and Haval Dargo.

carsales has contacted Kia Australia for confirmation on the trademark’s nature and intentions.

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