Back7-Year warranty for new Kia Sportage made in Europe*
Revolutionary and 'Best-in-Europe' warranty is free and transferable to subsequent owners
Kia has announced that all new 2008-model Kia Sportage compact SUVs manufactured at its facility in Zilina (Slovakia) will be backed by the best new vehicle warranty ever offered, by any manufacturer, on cars marketed in Europe.
Every Kia Sportage marketed by Kia Motors Europe will benefit from a 7-year/150,000 kilometre new car warranty, similar to the warranty that comes with every Kia ceed. The 2008 Kia Sportage is the first-ever SUV to be offered with such a comprehensive warranty, which will be supplied free and is transferable to subsequent owners provided the vehicle is regularly maintained in accordance with the servicing schedule.
Kia has taken the bold step of introducing a revolutionary warranty for the new 2008-model Sportage which will once again demonstrate to consumers in Europe our brands Power to Surprise and also to delight, enthused Mr Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe.
Thanks to the high quality of vehicles coming from our new facility in Slovakia, Kia is delighted to underline its commitment to delivering maximum customer satisfaction, together with lowered costs of vehicle ownership and better residual values.
We view this warranty as a corporate statement and an important long-term customer relations measure. The 7-Year warranty is an endorsement of Kias three core brand values quality, trustworthy, dynamic, added SVP Lievens. The extension of the Sportage warranty, as of November 1, 2007 from the 3-Year/Unlimited kilometre cover provided on the previous model has been made possible by the improved manufacturing processes at Kias Zilina plant and the resulting higher build quality, since production of the new 2008-model Sportage began there in August 2007.
Cover back-dated to new Sportage models made since August 2007 in Slovakia
Reflecting the enhanced quality of the latest Sportage, Kia is also making the new warranty retroactive so that customers who have already purchased a new 2008-model Sportage, made in Europe, will also benefit from the 7-Year/150,000 kilometre cover. Thanks to the unique Rotation Dipping Painting process at the Zilina plant, which rotates each bodyshell through a forward somersault while immersed in the electro-plating tank, all 2008 Kia Sportage vehicles will also be covered by a new 10-Year anti-corrosion warranty.
Improved build-quality, comfort, refinement and towing for 2008 Sportage
The 2008-model Kia Sportage SUV is little changed on the outside, but features exterior enhancements that include a re-styled front grille, black bezel headlamps, enlarged door mirrors, new-style alloy wheels, a broader range of paint finishes and body-colour bumpers for all models.
Since its launch in Europe during 2004, the Sportage has attracted more than 100,000 buyers and has played a key role in raising public awareness of the Kia brand across the broadest spread of European consumers, commented Jean-Charles Lievens. Now made in Europe, the new 2008 Kia Sportage retains all the popular attributes of the original model and offers customers an even better drive in greater comfort and refinement.
Technical improvements introduced simultaneously with manufacturing the 2008 Sportage in Europe begin with the power steering, which is re-tuned to be a little more direct. Sixteen inch diameter alloy wheels with 215/65 R16 tyres are standard, the suspension dampers are stiffer for improved on-road handling and body roll has been reduced. Larger, 300 mm diameter front brakes now help to stop the Sportage sooner and place the Kia among the best-in-class for retardation.
Inside, the 2008 Sportage has improved front seats with longer (by 40 mm) and wider (by 20 mm) cushions for greater support and comfort. The rear seat cushion shape and firmness have been enhanced and the seat lowered by 5 mm to increase headroom.
Wind noise has been reduced by redesigning the door mirror housings and improving the seals around the electric sunroof. The 2008 Sportage has 12.5% more towing capacity than the previous model now up to a maximum of 1800 kg.
Customers buying a 2008 Kia Sportage can choose from a range of 10 exterior colours and two interior colours Flesh Beige and Saturn Black. Eight of the exterior colours are new to Sportage, with two solids and six metallics in common with the ceed models produced at Zilina. Two of the most popular Sportage colours (Greyish Silver and Smart Blue metallics), are carried over from the 2007 model year.
2008 Kia Sportage 15-model line up for European Market**
| Diesel / 2.0-litre CRDi |
|
| GL manual 5-sp / 4x2 or 4x4 |
GLS manual 5-sp / 4x2 or 4x4 |
| GL manual 6-sp / 4x2 or 4x4 |
GLS manual 6-sp / 4x2 or 4x4 |
| GL automatic 4-sp / 4x2 |
GLS automatic 4-sp / 4x2 |
| Diesel / 2.0-litre CRDi |
|
| GL manual 5-sp / 4x2 or 4x4 |
GLS manual 5-sp / 4x2 or 4x4 |
| GL manual 6-sp / 4x2 or 4x4 |
GLS manual 6-sp / 4x2 or 4x4 |
| GL automatic 4-sp / 4x2 |
GLS automatic 4-sp / 4x2 |
| Gasoline / 2.0-litre DOHC |
|
| GL manual 5-sp / 4x2 or 4x4 |
GLS manual 5-sp / 4x2 or 4x4 |
| Gasoline / 2.7-litre DOHC V6 |
|
| |
GLS automatic 4-sp / 4x4 |
Editors´ Notes
*Kias Revolutionary 7-Year Warranty
In terms of Kias new Sportage warranty, Europe means the 29 markets for which Kia Motors Europe is responsible the 25 countries of the EU, plus Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Gibraltar, with the exception of Romania and Bulgaria.
**Sportage 15-model range
The Kia factory in Zilina, Slovakia is manufacturing a total of 15 Sportage derivatives, but the model line-up may vary country-to-country, depending on local market requirements. Please check the final Sportage line-up in your country with your local Kia PR representative.
Kia Motors Europe
Kia Motors Europe is the European sales, marketing, and service arm of Kia Motors Corporation. With its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, it covers 29 markets in Europe.
About Kia Motors Corporation
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kiamotors.com) was founded in 1944 and is Korea´s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world´s premier automotive brands. Kia´s 13 manufacturing and assembly operations in nine countries produce more than 1.3 million vehicles a year that are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 165 countries. Kia today has 33,000 employees and annual revenues of US$19 billion. Kia is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official worldwide sponsor of the Davis Cup. From 2007 to 2014, Kia will be an official automotive partner of FIFA - governing body of soccer´s FIFA World Cup. Kia boosted its football links this year with three new sponsorships of major teams that will see the Kia logo appearing in the UEFA Champions League - FC Girondins de Bordeaux, FC Brussels and Atletico de Madrid. Kia Motors Corporation´s brand slogan - ´The Power to Surprise´ - represents the company´s global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.
Press Contact
Mr Panu Vainamo
Tel 0049 69 850 928 352 Email pvainamo@kia-europe.com
Kia Motors Europe GmbH
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 11, 60486 Frankfurt, Germany.
Tel 0049 69 850 928 352 Fax 0049 69 850 928 399
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