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Kia's stunning new Sportage crossover goes
on sale across the UK Kia dealer network today as a full 16-model range
following the huge sales success of the early First Edition version that
went on sale on 1 August. The
line-up includes four engines, including brand-new highly efficient
1.6-litre direct-injection petrol and 1.7-litre turbodiesel units.
These engines come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox and
front-wheel drive, while with the 2.0-litre engines buyers are offered
the choice of five-speed manual or six-speed automatic on the petrol and
six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions on the diesel. |
All 1.6 and 1.7-litre versions of new
Sportage feature Kia's Intelligent Stop and Go (ISG) technology and sit
under Kia’s ‘EcoDynamics’ banner, while the new Dymax intelligent
all-wheel-drive system is standard on every 2.0-litre model.
The 16-model range is based on Kia's
familiar 1, 2 and 3 trim designations, with all-wheel-drive versions
given the KX preface. There is also a special range topping ‘Sat-Nav’
grade of new Sportage 3 and KX-3, featuring a fully integrated 7-inch
touch screen satellite navigation with built in reversing camera and
upgraded audio sound system.
All versions are extremely well
specified, as buyers have come to expect from Kia, and are covered by
Kia’s pioneering seven-year warranty that can be transferred to
subsequent owners as long as the 100,000-mile limit has not been
reached. Yet even with such a high level of standard equipment and
warranty, prices start from £16,645
The First Edition model, which allowed
Kia to put new Sportage on sale earlier than had been originally
anticipated, is discontinued with the arrival of the complete line-up.
Sportage Performance – More for
less
The new Sportage is longer, lower and
wider than the more traditional SUV it succeeds. It also weighs around
90kg less and has a sleeker aerodynamic profile, with a drag coefficient
down from 0.40 to 0.37 Cd. All of this has ensured that it is not only
more stylish and sporty, but also more environmentally friendly.
Widened front and rear tracks enhance
stability and driving enjoyment, while the reduced ground clearance aids
fuel consumption and emissions at the same time as reflecting that the
car's role is increasingly less likely to be as an off-roader.
All-wheel-drive versions of new Sportage are still more than capable
when called upon to perform in adverse conditions, thanks to their
intelligent, drive system – Dymax – from Magna Powertrain.
With the new 1.7-litre turbodiesel
engine and the fuel-saving assistance of ISG, new Sportage is capable of
average fuel economy of 54.3 mpg, while CO2 emissions are
only 135g/km – on 16”/17” alloys. Yet it is still a sprightly performer
thanks to its 114bhp and 255Nm (188lb ft) of torque. The new 1.6-litre
direct-injection petrol engine, which develops 133bhp and 165Nm (122lb
ft) of torque, gives new Sportage even livelier performance, yet not at
the expense of fuel economy or emissions. With the help of ISG, average
fuel consumption is 44.1mpg, while CO2 emissions are 149
g/km.
The 2.0-litre turbodiesel develops
134bhp at 4,000rpm and 320Nm (236lb ft) of torque from just 1,800rpm,
which means new Sportage has a better power-to-weight and
torque-to-weight ratio than the previous model with the older 2.0-litre
diesel engine. Yet it is more fuel-efficient and less damaging to the
environment.
With the six-speed manual gearbox new
Sportage 2.0 CRDi achieves (on 16” or 17” alloys) combined economy of
49.6mpg – 9.8mpg better than the old car – with CO2 emissions
of 149g/km, a huge reduction of 38g/km. But it also accelerates more
quickly and has a higher top speed. Even with the six-speed automatic it
betters the previous manual model, with fuel consumption from 40.9mpg
(versus 39.8mpg) and CO2 emissions from 179g/km (formerly
187g/km). It is also quicker and faster than the previous manual
Sportage.
The 2.0-litre petrol engine is the most
powerful of the four options in new Sportage. It develops 161bhp, with
194Nm (144lb ft) of torque, and has continuously variable valve timing
to ensure good driveability in all circumstances. In manual form it
allows new Sportage to achieve fuel consumption from 37.2mpg with CO2
emissions from 181g/km, while the automatic is only fractionally behind
with 34.4mpg and 195g/km.
The Dymax intelligent electronically
controlled single high ratio all-wheel drive system from Magna
Powertrain continuously monitors driving conditions and anticipates when
all-wheel drive will be needed, whereas other systems only react to
changing conditions. With Dymax, the new Sportage is always in the
correct drive mode for the prevailing circumstances.
Dymax normally delivers 100% of engine
torque to the front wheels. But the torque can be redistributed up to a
maximum of 60:40 front-to-rear to enhance cornering stability or if road
conditions deteriorate. For off-road driving, owners can manually select
lock mode, which gives a 50:50 torque split at speeds of up to 25mph.
All versions of new Sportage feature a
new electronic motor-driven power-assisted steering system that ensures
light, easy manoeuvrability in the busy urban environments the car has
been designed to slip into, with just the right weightiness and feedback
to make the car agile and stable at the higher speeds common on
motorways.
Kia engineers conducted final testing
on UK roads to ensure that the all-independent suspension delivers agile
and safe handling and an absorbent and comfortable ride, despite the
unique, challenging demands that British roads present.
A number of new electronic features
have been added to new Sportage to increase both safety for on-road
driving and the car's capability for those owners who wish to go
off-road or who live in areas where bad weather and poor driving
conditions are facts of life.
Sportage – Performance figures
| |
1.6 GDi
Manual |
1.7 CRDi
Manual |
2.0 Man/Auto |
2.0 CRDi Man/Auto |
| Power (bhp) |
133 |
114 |
161 |
134 |
| Torque (Nm) |
165 |
260 |
194 |
320 |
| 0-60 mph (sec) |
10.7 |
11.9 |
10.3 / 10.8 |
10.9 / 11.6 |
| Top speed (mph) |
111 |
107 |
113 / 112 |
112 / 112 |
| Economy (combined mpg)* |
44.1 |
54.3 |
37.2 / 34.4 |
49.6 / 40.9 |
| Emissions (CO2
g/km)* |
149 |
135 |
181 / 195 |
149 / 179 |
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