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New fuel-stretching engines join Kia Sportage SUV line-up

The all-new Kia Sportage urban-friendly compact SUV has been hugely popular with families and media across Europe following its introduction earlier this year.  Initially launched with a choice of 2-litre diesel and gasoline engines, new Sportage will soon be available with two additional powerunits – smaller capacity engines with fuel-stretching technology and exclusively matched to 2WD drivetrains and six-speed manual transmissions.

The new, 1.7-litre version of Kia’s popular ‘U2’ four-cylinder diesel engine for Sportage is fitted with a variable geometry turbocharger and generates 115 ps at 4,000 rpm, with 255 Nm of torque from just 1,800 rpm for responsive driveability.  Producing 135 ps, the 1.6-litre ‘Gamma’ gasoline engine delivers 165 Nm of torque at 4,850 rpm.

Both new engines will offer emissions and running costs that are among the very best in class, with the 1.7-litre diesel emitting just 139 g/ km* and the 1.6-litre gasoline 158 g/km*.  Available as an option with both diesel and gasoline engines will be Kia’s fuel-stretching ISG Start/Stop system, which will reduce emissions further – to an impressively-low 135 and 149 g/km* respectively.

“With the launch of new Sportage, we created an all-new, five-seater compact SUV with maximized customer appeal.  It is urban-friendly and fully in tune with today’s families and with changing consumer expectations.  It has quickly proved to be a big sales success, achieving global sales of more than 32,000 units in the short time since its launch this Summer,” commented Benny Oeyen, Vice President Marketing, Kia Motors Europe.

“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 many customers choose to down-size from larger vehicles.  With two new engines joining the Sportage line-up, our SUV’s popularity is set to increase even further.

“We are confident that new Sportage, now available with smaller engines consuming less fuel and emitting less CO2, will significantly increase Kia’s share of the compact SUV market in the years ahead,” concludes Oeyen.

When the full range of new Sportage models is in almost 2,000 Kia dealer showrooms across Europe, the compact SUV will be available with four engines covering a 115 ps to 163 ps power spread, and a choice of manual and automatic transmissions and two-wheel or all-wheel drive.  The model range presented to customers may vary country-by-country to suit local requirements and preferences.

Introducing a new kind of dynamic aesthetics

A key element of new Sportage’s instant appeal and sales success is how it looks, and the third-generation model marks a dramatic shift in design direction for Kia’s compact SUV.  Longer, wider and lower than the previous model, the all-new design successfully retains the key SUV features – commanding driving position, heightened sense of security and powerful road presence – which made the second generation Sportage so popular.

A key design element of new Sportage’s purposeful stance is the relationship between its high shoulders and narrow glasshouse, as Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, explains: “We’ve created a car with a sportscar-like ratio between sheet metal and glass.  The size, shape and proportion of the C-pillar on any car is absolutely crucial to its appearance and as you can see on our new Sportage, it determines the entire look and feel of the car.”

New Sportage is significantly sleeker and lighter than the previous model, with an aerodynamic drag figure of Cd 0.37 (down from 0.40) and significantly lighter (down by 91 kg) compared with the previous model – enhancing economy and refinement.

More space for people and cargo

The longer wheelbase, plus the extra interior width ensure that occupants of the new Sportage enjoy its spacious cabin.  The adoption of a reverse-angle for the C-pillar moves it 186 mm further back (compared with the previous model), placing it behind the rear seat passengers to provide them with a clear view out.  Entry and exit from the cabin is made easier by lowering the seats and the top of the door sills.

Driver comfort is enhanced by the adoption of a floor-hinged accelerator pedal that allows smooth control of the throttle and by the increased range of fore & aft sliding movement available for the driver’s seat – 24 mm more than the previous model.  As an option, heated front and rear seats can be specified.

Luggage space in new Sportage benefits from the 70 mm increase in the vehicle’s rear overhang.  With the rear seats upright, the cargo bay is 80 mm longer and 110 mm wider at floor level, thanks to the more compact design of the rear suspension.  Cargo capacity is among the best in class and ranges from 564 litres with the rear seats occupied to 1,353 litres with the rear seats folded down.  The rear seats feature a one-touch folding mechanism for added convenience.

New Sportage is significantly quieter and more refined than its predecessor.  The all-new bodyshell design and greater use of ultra-high and high tensile steels (71.9% of the total) have resulted in a stiffer and safer vehicle in which occupants will be aware of fewer vibrations from the road surface or mechanical components.

Off-road ability and enhanced safety

Although its ride and handling have been engineered with on-road performance as a priority, the new Sportage’s off-road credentials include a 172 mm ground clearance, an approach angle of 22.7 degrees, a 28.2 degrees departure angle and a ramp-over angle, which is 17.7 degrees.

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.

In most European countries, standard ‘active’ safety technologies fitted to the new Sportage will include ESC (Electronic Stability Control), and three new systems – HAC (Hillstart Assist Control), DBC (Downhill Brake Control) and an ESS (Emergency Stop Signal) system.

The performance of the Sportage’s all-disc braking system during extreme conditions is boosted by three systems – a regular ABS (anti-lock system), plus EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) to adjust the front/rear brake pressure and BAS (brake assist system) which recognizes an emergency stop and delivers maximum braking power.

A new ‘rollover sensor’ is part of the Sportage’s upgraded ESC system (standard in most European countries, and can be ordered as an option in all others).  This sensor monitors possible overturn situations and triggers the deployment of the side airbags, curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners if appropriate, while also extending the period of time that airbags are inflated.

Editors’ Notes

* Figures stated are manufacturer’s predictions.

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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 25 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) – a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – 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. 
    Over 1.5 million vehicles a year are produced at 13 manufacturing and assembly
operations in eight countries.  These vehicles are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 172 countries.
    Kia today has more than 42,000 employees and annual revenues of almost US$14.6 billion.  It is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official automotive
partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup.
    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

Ilona Tzudnowski
PR Manager Europe
Tel.:  +49 69 850 928 357    
E-mail:  i.tzudnowski@kia-europe.com

Kia Motors Europe GmbH
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 11
60486 Frankfurt, Germany