Introduction

All-new Sportage SUV eagerly awaited in Europe

The Kia Motors Corporation´s decision to re-enter the small SUV market with an all-new model was taken after intensive market research into future consumer trends indicated that a new model was eagerly awaited, and close monitoring of the success of the Kia Sorento in Europe and all around the world.

The new Sportage is designed to offer customers the best benefits of three different vehicle types - all in one compact stylish package. The smooth ride, agile handling and overall refinement of a Passenger Car… the exterior style, high driving position, easy access and all-wheel grip of an SUV… the load carrying ability and seating versatility of a Wagon… are all combined to create a uniquely attractive new Kia.

Compared to Kia´s earlier rugged SUV, the all-new Sportage has a radically different concept. It is more sporty and elegant, with a much more spacious and adaptable interior, a stylish attractive appearance inside and out, with a user-friendly top-hinged tailgate and internally carried spare wheel, plus sleeker aerodynamics for quiet, refined, high speed cruising.

Longer (4350 mm), wider (1800 mm) and higher (1695 mm) than the average small SUV, the new five-seater Sportage will offer customers much of the technical sophistication and stylish looks of the popular Sorento, but in a smaller package. The generous dimensions boost both passenger and luggage space, and greatly improve the ride and handling, and both ´on´ and ´off´ road performance.

Key customer benefits of the new Sportage include automatic full-time four-wheel drive, ´best-in-class´ headroom and legroom, common-rail diesel engine mated to a manual or automatic transmission with a sequential manual mode, versatile seating, flat-floored cargo area, traction control and (optional) ESP, and front, side and curtain air-bags - as standard on some models.

A unique rear seat design has a new ´Drop & Fold´ system which lowers the cushion and ensures the backrest folds fully flat to create a spacious, square-sided, flat-floored cargo area, more than 1.6 metres long. To accommodate even longer loads, the front passenger seat backrest folds forwards, lying flat on the cushion. The top-hinged tailgate features a flip-up window (like the Sorento) for loading versatility.

"The new Sportage is a ´next generation´ vehicle - sporty and elegant, adaptable and spacious," comments Jean-Charles Lievens, Vice President of Kia Motors Europe. "It will offer Kia consumers three modern vehicles in one - with Passenger Car refinement, SUV access and traction, plus Wagon-like versatility and cargo space. The Sportage name also has all the right vibes for Kia´s ´young, friendly and sporty´ brand aspirations, so we are delighted to revive it for our newcomer."

Multiple choices for maximum customer appeal

The Sportage continues the Kia tradition of introducing new models which are thoroughly modern, attractively stylish, and technically sophisticated, while retaining the marque´s strong adherence to the value-for-money ethic.

The Sportage will be available with a single body-type (5-door hatchback), but with a choice of three engines (2-litre and 2.7-litre-V6 gasoline, 2-litre diesel), two-wheel or four-wheel-drive powertrains, five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions, and two trim/equipment levels, LX and EX.

Kia expects demand for SUVs in Europe to grow faster than the overall new car market, and to reach 1 million units annually by late 2008. The Corporation also anticipates that demand for small SUVs will grow even faster than demand for mid-size and large models. Within that 1 million total, the small SUV segment is expected to account for 35% of sales in 2008, up from 30% in 2004, with the greatest demand in Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the UK.

Although the new Sportage is undoubtedly a thoroughly modern, all-new model, Kia has revived an old model name - for a host of positive reasons. Following a comprehensive review of name connotations, public opinion polls, and name effectiveness as a global brand, Kia ultimately decided to keep ´Sportage´ as the name for its latest small SUV - reviving the name of Kia´s earlier 4x4 model which sold strongly, with more than 550,000 sales around the world, during the 1990s.

"The all-new Sportage is completely different to its predecessor in every respect," comments Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice-President and COO of Kia Motors. "However, since an entirely new name demands fresh awareness promotion and can also run the risk of failing to capture customers´ attention, we have decided to continue to use the Sportage name, considering the remarkable brand power it has accumulated over the years in many markets across the world. The blending of ´sport´ and ´mobility´ which the Sportage name encompasses also make it an ideal name for our exciting new model."

The Sportage chassis has fully independent suspension, precise rack and pinion steering, and disc brakes all round with ABS and EBD for maximum stopping power, plus traction control. In Europe, the five-seater cabin is equipped with dual front airbags, twin front side airbags and full length side curtain airbags - in most countries.

Every Sportage comes with a range of comprehensive features and offers unbeatable value. The LX model equipment includes: tinted windows, ABS anti-lock brakes, traction control (on 4WD), 60/40 split ´Drop & Fold´ rear seat, centre console storage box, electric front and rear windows, twin roof bars, 16-inch alloy wheels, central locking, two power outlets, front, side and curtain airbags (in some countries), four two-way audio speakers, and three-point seatbelts for all five occupants.

The higher-specification Sportage EX model adds numerous items, depending on market, including: ESP stability control, twin front fog lamps, electrically heated front windscreen, body-colour door handles, door mirrors and rear tailgate garnish, dashboard passenger grab handle, luggage net, remote central locking and theft alarm, cabin air filter and courtesy ´puddle lights´ in the front doors.

Extra-cost optional equipment includes: privacy glass, powered glass sunroof, leather upholstery and steering wheel, electric heated front seats, wider and lower profile Bridgestone tyres (in some countries), electric chromic interior mirror with compass, cruise control and climate control air-conditioning.

Created to give Kia a bold new challenger in the small SUV segment, the Sportage will play a major role in the brand´s continued rapid growth in Europe and all around the globe.

Kia is currently Europe´s fastest-growing automotive brand and the Sorento, Opirus, Picanto, Cerato, and now the Sportage, confirm that Kia has great appeal to European customers. Together with owner Hyundai, Kia is firmly on course to become at ´Top 5´ global car maker by 2010.

Editors Note
Prices and final equipment specifications for the Sportage LX and EX models will be revealed country by country, nearer to their local ´on sale´ date.