Attractive design, technology and sustainability. The wait is over, the new Kia Sportage debuts on the Italian market, with the fifth generation of the Korean SUV that will be available in Italian dealerships starting from January 15th. With a history that began over 30 years ago, with its absolute debut at the 1991 Tokyo Auto Show, Sportage is back on the market with a completely new version that fully embodies the new philosophy of the brand, with the “Opposites United” design. clearly visible in the stylistic features that distinguish the Kia best seller. The price list again Kia Sportage will start from 29,950 euros for the petrol version with mild-hybrid technology.
The design innovations are clearly visible already in the front, with the black Tiger Nose grille that extends over the entire width including the exclusive LED DRLs with a futuristic boomerang shape that also emphasize the presence of the Matrix LED headlights with intelligent front lighting system. The daytime running lights embrace the front three-quarter while on the sides you immediately notice a contrast of taut lines that degrade to the rear, where we find a softer style. Here we also find new optical groups that are inspired by the Kia EV6. The different position of the mirrors, with the location below the belt line, give a sense of sportiness but above all improve visibility. Then the contrasting black roof makes its debut, which once again underlines the modern soul of Sportage. The car has grown by 3 cm and the wheelbase also grows by 1 cm: with the increase in size, the habitability of the rear seats in particular improves. More space also in the trunk, which grows by 87 liters for a total of 587 liters which can rise to 1,776 liters if the seats are folded down. Depending on the set-ups, the new Sportage can be equipped with 17-inch, 18-inch or 19-inch wheels for the top of the range version, with a total choice of six different designs.
Inside the passenger compartment there is a digital dashboard, with two monitors that embrace the driver with a 12 ” display for the infotainment system and the dashboard. The curved display gives the passenger compartment extraordinary breadth and depth. The 12.3-inch high-tech touchscreen and integrated controller serve as the nerve center for the needs of connectivity, functionality and usability for both driver and passenger. Both systems have been designed to be easy to use, highly intuitive and soft to the touch. The 12.3-inch instrument cluster features the latest generation liquid crystal display with incredibly precise and clear graphics for immediate readability. The latest generation connectivity of the new Sportage benefits from over-the-air software and map updates.
There range of engines includes latest generation petrol and diesel units, with electrified versions both HEV and PHEV as well as the mild-hybrid. In the first case, the Kia Sportage with full hybrid technology is equipped with a 180 HP 1.6 T-GDI which has been joined by a 44.2 kW electric motor with a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery. The total power of the system is 230 hp. The 1.6 T-GDI engine is also available in the mild hybrid system (MHEV), in both the 150hp and 180hp versions. As for the plug-in hybrid variant, the 1.6-liter T-GDI engine is combined with a 66.9 kW electric motor with a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion battery. The system power thus rises to 265 hp. MHEV technology is also available with diesel engine 136 hp engine that features advanced SCR emission control technologies. The 1.6 T-GDI engine is combined with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (7DCT) or a 6-speed manual transmission (MT). The 1.6-liter diesel with MHEV technology can be chosen with a six-speed intelligent manual transmission (iMT) or 7DCT dual clutch. The GPL version will also be available from June.
Wide the allocation of the ADAS package: the new Sportage is equipped with the frontal collision avoidance assistance system, including the Junction Turning function, which helps prevent collisions when turning at intersections with oncoming cars, pedestrians and bicycles, as well as Highway Driving Assist (HDA) which maintains the distance and speed set by the vehicle in front when driving on the motorway and helps the driver to stay in the center of the lane. HDA can affect the speed of the vehicle based on the speed limit. The fifth generation is also equipped with Smart Cruise Control (NSCC), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) and Surround View Monitor. (SVM) which assists in the parking phase, both at the exit and at the entrance. The set-ups for the Italian market will be Business, Style, GT Line, GT Line Plus.
“There are high expectations for this generation – said Giuseppe Bitti, Managing Director of Kia Italia – Sportage represents the maximum aspiration for the brand, both in terms of style and technology. We expect to reach 15-16,000 units sold on an annual basis, starting with the completion of the range in June. The brand has consolidated over the last 10 years, with a steady growth trend, culminating in 2021 with the 3% market share exceeding, the best result since its debut in Italy. We want this result to be our starting point. Last year we launched the new logo, which represents not only a new graphic design but also the new philosophy of Kia. 2022 will also be very important, in addition to Sportage there will be the second generation of Niro, launched in 2017 with the full hybrid version. The consolidation of the EV6 will then also lead to the debut of the EV9, a large crossover over 5 with 7 seats and 4 × 4 traction. For the next 5 years we will see very interesting innovations that will complement and strengthen our position on the market. “
#Kia #Sportage #debuts #Italy #prices #equipment #engines