“The new generation Sportage will continue the story started some five years ago, this time with even more style, more technology … and more quality,” Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer, Damien Meredith, said.
“Like the Carnival, Sorento and Optima launched in the last year, one of the standout advances is in the styling and quality of the interior. The cabin of the new Sportage stands in nobody’s shadow.”
For the Australian market the new Sportage will be available in three trim levels _ Si, SLi and Platinum _ with a choice of three engines, a 2.0-litre MPI (114kW and 192 Nm) for Si and SLi, a 2.4-litre GDI (135kW and 237Nm) in Platinum only and a 2.0-litre diesel (136kW and 400Nm) in all grades.
All models will feature a six-speed automatic gearbox driving the front wheels only in the 2.0-litre petrol Si and SLi models and linked to Kia’s proven on-demand AWD system in all diesel models (Si, SLi and Platinum) and the 2.4-litre GDI petrol in the Platinum range.
For the first time on a Kia in Australia the new Sportage Platinum will feature the Smart Parking Assist System (SPAS) which will assist drivers into parallel or 90-degree parking spaces by measuring the available space, controlling steering and offering input instructions on the LCD display.
Pricing starts at $28,990 for the 2.0-litre petrol Si and tops out at $45,990 for the Platinum diesel.
Having made its global debut at last September’s Frankfurt International Motor Show, the all-new Sportage builds comprehensively on the success of the outgoing model, offering an innovative and sophisticated package to buyers in an increasingly competitive compact SUV market.
The new-look interior features high quality materials and design integrity, as well as great practicality and a range of technologies to improve comfort, convenience, connectivity and safety. A range of new and updated engines and transmissions will result in enhanced efficiency and performance, while KMAu’s localized ride and handling program has made the most of the improved refinement of the Sportage.
“The new Sportage is an integral part of our sales initiatives and aspirations for 2016 and yet another opportunity for Kia to build on the brand strength and customer experience already leading the way with the benchmark 7-year warranty, 7-year capped price servicing and 7-year roadside assist,” Mr Meredith said.
Navigation System with wireless phone charging
The all-new Sportage features a range of advanced on-board technologies to improve the ownership experience for buyers.
As standard, the all-new Sportage Si for Australia is equipped with a 3.5-inch mono TFT LCD display at the centre of the dashboard, while SLi and Platinum buyers will step up to a 4.2-inch colour TFT supervision cluster. All models get a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment screen featuring reversing camera display with dynamic parking lines, while satellite navigation is standard for SLi and Platinum. All infotainment systems feature Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and aux-in and USB ports for smartphones and MP3 music players.
A first for any car in the C-SUV segment, the new Sportage Platinum will have a new wireless charger for mobile devices, as Kia looks to meet the increasing demand for new convenience technologies from car buyers.
Located at the base of the central instrument stack, the wireless charger enables users to charge their smart phones without a wire connection, for a cleaner appearance. With ‘foreign object detection’, the 5W charging system activates when a compatible device is placed on the pad, and warns car security-conscious owners when they’ve left a phone on the charger when they leave the vehicle.
Upgraded petrol and diesel engines
The fourth-generation model carries over many of the engines found in the current vehicle, and most benefit from a broad range of modifications to improve fuel efficiency, NVH and power delivery. The range of petrol engines is made up of 2.0-litre ‘Nu’ MPI (multi-point injection) and 2.4-litre ‘Theta II’ GDI (gasoline direct injection) engines, while a significantly upgraded version of Kia’s 2.0-litre ‘R’ turbodiesel engine is also available.
The 2.0-litre MPI engine, producing 114kW of power and 192Nm of torque, is carried over from the third-generation Sportage, but with a range of features to improve efficiency. The 2.4-litre engine produces 135kW and peak torque of 237Nm torque.
The high-powered 2.0-litre ‘R’ turbodiesel engine produces 136kW with 400Nm, and, compared to its predecessor found in the third-generation Sportage, benefits from a 5 kg lighter engine block, updated battery management system, continuously variable displacement oil pump – which senses and modifies oil pressure in real-time – and a new oil filter module.
Lower combustion temperatures in the 2.0-litre ‘R’ engine have reduced NOx emissions to meet increasingly strict global emissions standards, aided by a relatively low compression ratio, a new exhaust gas recirculation cooler system, a new lean NOx trap and a diesel particulate filter.
Tyre Sizes
Si – 225/60R17
SLi – 225/55R18
Platinum – 245/45R19
