Kia has used the 2009 Seoul motorshow to present the all-new Sorento. The Crossover Utility Vehicle or CUV as Kia calls it is longer, wider and higher than its predecessor. The predecessor was quite good for the Kia's sales sheets having found around 900,000 homes globally since 2002.
Kia plans to sell about 140,000 examples of the new car annually from 2010. Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President & COO of the International Business Division said: "Despite the current economic uncertainties, we are confident that the new Sorento will significantly increase Kia's share of the CUV market."
In terms of its design the new Kia is a notable departure from the previous vehicle. It has exterior styling features like black bezel wrap-around headlamps, a trapezoid C-Pillar and an extended tailgate which has been moved rearwards.
Interior features include a new sat-nav system with a 6.5-inch screen, a decent sound system with MP3 and iPod connectivity and a panoramic sunroof. Other luxuries are a reversing safety camera, an engine start button and keyless entry.
Kia has made 4 different engines available depending on the market. A 2.2-litre diesel that makes 197PS and 435Nm, 2.4-litre petrol producing 174PS and 225Nm, a 2.7 litre LPG-powered engine kicking out 165PS and 244Nm of torque and a 3.5 litre petrol V6 with 277PS and 335Nm of torque. Transmission options are 5 or 6-speed manual and 5 or 6-speed automatic depending on the model. The 6 speed auto can cut fuel consumption by 12%. It will be sold in either 2WD or 4WD.
In the UK, the Sorento will go on sale in early 2010 with the 2.2 litre 197PS engine expected to be the best seller, especially with CO2 emissions of 173g/km and around 45mpg combined. The UK could also get the 2.4 litre petrol engine or the 3.5 litre V6. Equipment wise, auto-dimming rear view mirror, reversing camera, panoramic glass roof, 10 speaker sound system, keyless entry with push-button start, ESP, 6 airbags, electrically adjustable heated front seats will be standard on plusher models. Lower spec Sorento's should come with electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, 4 electric windows, body coloured door mirrors, bumpers and handles, projector headlamps, 6 & 8 speaker sound system, cruise control, steering wheel mounted audio controls, tilt & telescopic steering wheel, drivers seat height adjustment and front fog lights as standard.
Since the new Sorento is longer to accommodate the 3rd row of seats so luggage space is rated at 258 litres SAE behind 3rd row seats, 1,047 litres SAE behind 2nd row seats and 2,052 litres SAE behind 1st row seats. Fuel tank of 70 litres will give the new Sorento good fuel range.
Prices should start from £20,000.
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