New Kia Sportage

New Kia Sportage

All New Kia Sportage - with a new bodyshell, new engines and fresh, bold styling that introduces a new kind of dynamic aesthetics, the latest Kia Sportage is an urban-friendly compact SUV for today's families - consuming less fuel and emitting less CO2.

Longer, wider and lower than the previous model - by 90 mm, 15 mm and 60 mm respectively - the all-new design successfully retains the key SUV features - a commanding driving position, heightened sense of security and powerful road presence - that made the second-generation Kia Sportage so popular.

The second-generation Sportage was introduced in 2004 and marked a huge step forward for Kia. Over the next six years, it attracted thousands of new customers to Kia, and achieved global sales of more than 860,000 units - including 150,000 units in Western Europe.

Now, under the direction of Kia's Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer, the Kia design teams have created a third-generation Sportage incorporating Kia's new design DNA and many features from the 2007 Kia Kue concept car, to be immediately identifiable and to stand out from potential rivals in an increasingly crowded segment.

The all-new Sportage is a five-seat compact SUV with maximized customer appeal. It is urban-friendly and fully in tune with changing consumer expectations and demands.

Despite the recent and ongoing global economic difficulties, Kia's market research indicates that demand for C-segment SUVs in Europe will grow steadily over the next five years as customers down-size their vehicles and new models focus attention on the segment.

Customer response to the new Sportage in Europe has been entirely positive and we are confident that our latest model will significantly increase Kia's share of the compact SUV market," concludes President Lee.

New Sportage has an aerodynamic drag figure of Cd 0.37 - down from 0.40 - and a reduction in weight of 91 kg compared with the previous model enhancing fuel economy and refinement.

Choice of engines with enhanced economy and lowered emissions: When the full range of new Sportage models is on sale later this year, it will be available with four engines - two petrol and two diesel, ranging between 115 ps to 163 ps - manual and automatic transmissions and two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The model range presented to customers will vary country-by-country across Europe to suit local requirements and preferences. Final decisions on the UK range are yet to be made but all the engine variants will be available and Kia Motors (UK) Ltd., plans to take all the transmission and drive options.

For new Sportage the 2-litre diesel and petrol engines available at launch will be joined by smaller capacity engines available with fuel-stretching ISG (Intelligent Stop & Go) technology and with CO2 emissions from as low as 138 g/km.

Enhancing occupant and pedestrian safety: Fitted as standard in most European countries, new safety features will include ESC with a new Roll-over Sensor that deploys the side airbags, curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners when required, Hillstart Assist Control to prevent roll-back when starting on an incline, Downhill Brake Control to limit speed during a steep descent and an ESS system which flashes the brake lights during an emergency.

A new rear-view safety camera providing on an LCD colour display integrated into the interior rear-view mirror will be available as an option on all models.

Appealing to existing and new Sportage customers: New Sportage buyers will be offered a choice up to 10 exterior colours and a black interior, trimmed in cloth, part-leather or full-leather that can be personalised with dark, light or orange accents.  The quality of the cabin has been greatly improved. Available high-tech features will include: Xenon HID headlamps, LED running lights, keyless entry, engine start button, reversing safety camera, built-in sat-nav and full-length panoramic glass sunroof.

Kia's latest compact SUV will benefit from the brand's unique 7-Year Kia Warranty in Europe. The all-new Sportage range will begin to appear in showrooms across Europe during the summer.

Styling & Design: Introducing a new kind of dynamic aesthetics: The new Sportage marks a dramatic shift in design direction for Kia's compact SUV.  Longer, lower and wider than the previous generation model, the new Sportage is immediately identifiable by its ‘tiger' face - incorporating Peter Schreyer's striking signature grille design that links all new Kia models.

Sitting below the central bonnet-mounted badge, the ‘tiger face' sweeps out to effectively frame the grille before broadening out and encompassing the car's large and piercing headlamps to create a distinctive and powerful face. The strength of this look is reinforced by the clamshell bonnet and its contours that run into raised shoulders as they flow down to meet the headlamps.

The new Sportage's athleticism is reinforced by its rakish windscreen angle, which sweeps seamlessly into the low roofline. And the top of the screen itself reflects the grille profile. "The profile line of the top of the windscreen mirrors that of the grille," explains Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer, Kia Europe.

The key design element of new Sportage's purposeful stance is the relationship between its high shoulders and narrow glasshouse, explained Schreyer.  "We've created a vehicle with a sportscar-like ratio between sheet metal and glass.  The side-windows are very narrow that gives an almost rally-car feeling. Follow the shoulder and roof lines and they meet at the striking reverse-angled C-pillar.

Comfort & Convenience - Top-quality trim and equipment with high-tech features: Kia is confident that when current Sportage owners and new customers to the brand visit dealer showrooms to view the all-new Sportage, they will be mightily impressed by the newcomer. Its showroom ‘presence' will be both impactful and surprising.

New Sportage will be available in a stunning new metallic colour - Techno Orange - and first impressions will also be enhanced by the new bright chrome finish for the front grille- the strong Kia ‘face' - as well as the bold reverse-angle C-pillar, the wider track, purposeful stance and much closer relationship between the wheels, tyres and wheel-arch - creating a premium appearance and echoing the precision and care that has been applied to the entire vehicle.


Engines - New diesel and petrol engines to power new Sportage: Manufactured at Kia's world-class facility in Slovakia, the all-new Sportage will ultimately be available in Europe with a wide choice of engines. At launch this summer, the engine line-up will comprise 2-litre diesel and 2-litre petrol engines - with a 1.7-litre diesel and a 1.6-litre GDI petrol unit to follow later this year, reducing the new model's base-line CO2 emissions to less than 140 g/km.

Diesels demonstrate Kia's world-class engineering: At the Geneva Show and making its premiere in the new Sportage, is a 2.0-litre version of Kia's next-generation ‘R' family diesel. All-new, the ‘R' family diesel engine first appeared in 2.2-litre, 197 ps form, in the new Kia Sorento confirming that Kia's engineering capabilities are indeed world-class.

The R2.0, which is expected to prove the most popular engine choice with new Sportage buyers in many European countries, generates a maximum of 136 ps and 304 Nm of torque from just 1,800 rpm. As well as guaranteeing strong performance, the new diesel enables the Kia's compact SUV to deliver highly-competitive fuel economy and emissions figures.

Later this year, a new 1.7-litre version of Kia's ‘U2' diesel will become available.  Designed and engineered at Kia's R&D Centre in Germany, this 115 ps engine meets Euro 5 emissions regulations and is cleaner, quieter and more fuel-efficient than previous U2 engines. It has been developed for optimum driveability, with more than 90 per cent of the maximum torque available from just 2,000 rpm.

Petrol engines blend power with economy: Now fitted with upgraded electronics and low-friction components, Kia's revised 2.0-litre ‘Theta II' petrol engine delivers more power, improved durability, enhanced refinement and reduced fuel consumption and emissions.

This four-cylinder 1998 cc powerunit has dual CVVT (continuously variable valve timing) for both the intake and exhaust valves, four valves per cylinder and features weight-saving, all-aluminium construction with a cast aluminium block, cylinder head and sump.  Fitted in new Sportage, maximum power is 163 ps, with 194 Nm of peak torque at a modest 4600 rpm.


Suspension & Running Gear - New electric steering and new multi-link rear suspension: All around the world, more than 860,000 Kia Sportage owners have enjoyed this model's special blend of on-road talents and off-road abilities since the second-generation model was introduced in 2004.

Now, determined to rival the best vehicles in the compact-SUV class with the all-new Sportage, Kia engineers were given the goal of improving the earlier model's ride/handling balance, whilst also achieving more precise and rewarding responses to driver inputs, with increased riding refinement.

Safety - A safer drive thanks to new ‘active' and ‘passive' technology: Kia invests heavily in R&D programmes directed at enhancing both the active and passive safety of its vehicles to deliver the highest levels of occupant protection.

To ensure that owning and driving Kia's latest compact SUV will be a safe and rewarding experience for all occupants, the new Sportage offers buyers a range of state-of-the-art safety systems and equipment as standard - or as options, depending on model and market.

All New Kia Sportage - with a new bodyshell, new engines and fresh, bold styling that introduces a new kind of dynamic aesthetics, the latest Kia Sportage is an urban-friendly compact SUV for today's families - consuming less fuel and emitting less CO2.

Longer, wider and lower than the previous model - by 90 mm, 15 mm and 60 mm respectively - the all-new design successfully retains the key SUV features - a commanding driving position, heightened sense of security and powerful road presence - that made the second-generation Kia Sportage so popular.

The second-generation Sportage was introduced in 2004 and marked a huge step forward for Kia. Over the next six years, it attracted thousands of new customers to Kia, and achieved global sales of more than 860,000 units - including 150,000 units in Western Europe.

Now, under the direction of Kia's Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer, the Kia design teams have created a third-generation Sportage incorporating Kia's new design DNA and many features from the 2007 Kia Kue concept car, to be immediately identifiable and to stand out from potential rivals in an increasingly crowded segment.

The all-new Sportage is a five-seat compact SUV with maximized customer appeal. It is urban-friendly and fully in tune with changing consumer expectations and demands.

Despite the recent and ongoing global economic difficulties, Kia's market research indicates that demand for C-segment SUVs in Europe will grow steadily over the next five years as customers down-size their vehicles and new models focus attention on the segment.

Customer response to the new Sportage in Europe has been entirely positive and we are confident that our latest model will significantly increase Kia's share of the compact SUV market," concludes President Lee.

New Sportage has an aerodynamic drag figure of Cd 0.37 - down from 0.40 - and a reduction in weight of 91 kg compared with the previous model enhancing fuel economy and refinement.

Choice of engines with enhanced economy and lowered emissions: When the full range of new Sportage models is on sale later this year, it will be available with four engines - two petrol and two diesel, ranging between 115 ps to 163 ps - manual and automatic transmissions and two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The model range presented to customers will vary country-by-country across Europe to suit local requirements and preferences. Final decisions on the UK range are yet to be made but all the engine variants will be available and Kia Motors (UK) Ltd., plans to take all the transmission and drive options.

For new Sportage the 2-litre diesel and petrol engines available at launch will be joined by smaller capacity engines available with fuel-stretching ISG (Intelligent Stop & Go) technology and with CO2 emissions from as low as 138 g/km.

Enhancing occupant and pedestrian safety: Fitted as standard in most European countries, new safety features will include ESC with a new Roll-over Sensor that deploys the side airbags, curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners when required, Hillstart Assist Control to prevent roll-back when starting on an incline, Downhill Brake Control to limit speed during a steep descent and an ESS system which flashes the brake lights during an emergency.

A new rear-view safety camera providing on an LCD colour display integrated into the interior rear-view mirror will be available as an option on all models.


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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