Kia Europe has revealed the dedicated European Sportage, which has been carefully crafted to establish new benchmarks across the SUV segment in Europe. It combines a sleek yet muscular and modern exterior design with a cutting-edge premium interior featuring a swooping integrated curved display that houses the very latest advancements in connectivity tech. State-of-the-art hybrid powertrains further enhance the European Sportage’s capabilities, serving to dramatically reduce emissions and enhance fuel economy. An advanced plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model represents another first for the European Sportage, realizing emissions-free electric-only driving that can cover most daily trips from the home to work or for daily shopping needs. The very latest internal combustion clean petrol and diesel engines are also available in various efficiency and power versions, ensuring that the Sportage covers the breadth of the European market. The new European version of the Sportage is an essential addition to the all-new fifth-generation family, of which the first member – a long-wheelbase variant – was unveiled in July 2021.
Developed on a new architecture, the European Sportage benefits from a European-focused high-tech engineering program that has realized an optimal wheelbase and ideal dimensions and proportions for European roads. This meticulous approach has helped create an SUV that is a perfect fit for European requirements, underscoring its everyday practicality and usability. Such a progressive and tailored package has also resulted in luggage capacity, headroom and legroom all being substantially increased over the outgoing Sportage model, with best-in-class legroom for the second-row passengers. To create a dynamic, engaging and optimal driving experience for European roads, the new Sportage debuts numerous highly innovative technology breakthroughs. A new-generation Electronic Controlled Suspension (ECS) provides optimum comfort and superior safety levels at all times thanks to its continuous damping control in real-time. A new Terrain Mode gives the Sportage outstanding ride capabilities in more challenging conditions such as snow, mud and sand, allowing owners to pursue more adventurous leisure activities.
The new 1.6 T-GDI engine is also available in the new Sportage line-up with a mild hybrid (MHEV) system that has been developed to reduce emissions and optimize frugality. It combines enhanced efficiency with sporty performance, generating 150PS or 180PS power output. The four-cylinder unit realizes enhanced fuel efficiency through a new and optimized combustion process, cooling technologies and key friction reduction measures, including an advanced integrated thermal management system and the use of a low-friction ball bearing. Also included in the launch line-up of new European Sportage is a highly efficient 1.6-litre clean diesel engine that is available with 115PS or 136PS power outputs. Featuring advanced SCR active emissions control technologies, the clean diesel engine cuts pollutants such as NOx and particulate matter. The 136PS clean diesel model is available with MHEV technology, further reducing emissions and enhancing efficiency of the new European Sportage. The 1.6 T-GDI engine is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (7DCT), while a 6-speed manual transmission (MT) is also available. The 1.6-litre diesel variants – with or without the additional MHEV tech – can be paired with either a six-speed intelligent manual transmission (iMT) or the 7DCT.
The packaging for the HEV and PHEV models has been carefully arranged to avoid impact on passenger and luggage space. For the HEV derivative, the battery pack is place under the second-row seats, resulting in legroom that is the same as the IC engine Sportage models. For the PHEV Sportage, the high-voltage battery is placed centrally between the two axles under the body of the SUV, ensuring a balanced weight distribution and an interior space that is practical, comfortable and versatile. The PHEV Sportage features Kia’s award-winning 1.6-litre T-GDI engine, a 66.9kW permanent magnet traction electric motor and a 13.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. The powertrain combination delivers a total system power output of 265PS, with 180PS originating from the internal combustion engine. The state-of-the-art battery pack in the PHEV Sportage features a high-tech battery management unit that constantly monitors the state of the battery, including factors such as current, voltage, isolation and fault diagnosis. The pack also has an advanced cell monitoring unit that measures and monitors cell voltage and temperature.
Revealed earlier this year to great acclaim from the design community, Kia’s new design language – Opposites United – is at the core of the new Sportage, influencing every aspect of its appearance and character. The exterior of the new Kia Sportage establishes new design boundaries, giving it dramatic presence on European roads. Tense and crisp lines ripple along the refined body, amplifying exquisite styling tensions. At the same time, clean but muscular surfaces join forces with intricate graphics to give the SUV a dynamic and assertive road presence. The thought-provoking and daring philosophy is formed of five pillars: Joy for Reason, Power to Progress, Technology for Life, Tension for Serenity and Bold for Nature. The last pillar – Bold for Nature – has profoundly influenced the design creation of new Sportage, embodying the natural world and creating a design identity that takes a daring, emotional, modern but organic form. The grille links Kia’s modern signature Tiger Nose grille to the distinctive futuristic-styled boomerang-shaped LED DRLs (daytime running lights).
