Kia has unveiled an all-new version of its Sportage SUV with a dedicated model designed for Europe.
The fifth generation of the Sportage is marketed in two versions: a long wheelbase model for the Korean and American markets and, for the first time, a shorter wheelbase model designed specifically for the European market.
Kia claims that the shorter European Specification Sportage was designed to provide “ideal dimensions and proportions for European roads”. At 4,515mm long, it’s 85mm shorter than the Global version, with a 75mm shorter wheelbase, but the new Sportage is still taller than before – 30mm longer with an additional 10mm wheelbase. .
Externally, the new Sportage has a bold new look inspired by Kia’s “united opposites” design philosophy. The front is dominated by the brand’s latest interpretation of the tiger nose grille, flanked by boomerang-shaped traffic lights wrapped around the main headlight assembly. A deep lower grille and black coating underline the Sportage’s new look, and a contrasting black roof is part of the new options. The angular design of the front continues around the vehicle with deep pleats in the doors and pointed tail lights that flow from the rear three-quarter panels in the tailgate.
Inside, the Sportage has undergone a less drastic change, but has been updated with new materials and technology. Key to the changes is a new 12.3-inch curved touchscreen in the center of the redesigned dashboard. This is mounted in a single unit alongside an identically sized digital instrument display, flanked by what Kia insists are “finely detailed sports air vents.”
The new display houses Kia’s latest navigation, connectivity and multimedia system with internet connectivity and live updates. Kia says the Sportage’s technological advancements go beyond that, with an upgraded driver assistance package that includes navigation-assisted adaptive cruise control and remote park control that can be operated from outside the vehicle. vehicle.
The latest Sportage will be offered with a range of petrol and diesel transmissions, including mild, full and plug-in hybrid variants.
Key to the lineup are the Sportage HEV and PHEV models. Both use a 178 hp 1.6-liter petrol engine mated to an electric motor. In the standard hybrid, the total output is 227 hp while the plug-in variant gets a more powerful electric motor for a total of 261 hp. The EV range for the PHEV has yet to be confirmed, but it uses a 13.8kWh battery to run on electricity only.
The same 1.6-liter engine is also available as a mild hybrid with 148 hp or 178 hp.
A single 1.6-liter diesel engine will also be offered, with 114 hp or 134 hp, the latter being available with mild hybrid technology.
There won’t be a purely electric version of the Sportage, with the brand’s EV6 SUV playing that role instead.
As part of the program to create a model specific to Europe, the Sportage’s chassis has also been developed and tuned for the roads in the region and features electronically controlled continuous damping and an all-wheel drive system. automatically controlled.
The fifth-generation car also features a new ‘terrain mode’ designed to help the Sportage deal with tough off-road conditions such as sand, mud and snow, as well as three normal drive modes.
Full specs and pricing are yet to be confirmed, but expect a slight increase over the current generation, which ranges from £ 24,400 to £ 35,000.
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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-09-04 09:58:00
