KIA SPORTAGE: VERY MUCH A GLOBAL SUV

Kia Corporation has revealed the official images of its all-new Sportage.

“Reinventing the Sportage gave our talented design teams a tremendous opportunity to do something new; to take inspiration from the recent brand relaunch and introduction of EV6 to inspire customers through modern and innovative SUV design,” commented Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Design Centre.

The all-new Sportage is the result of a collaborative effort between Kia’s main global design network in Korea, Germany, the US, and China.

The front of the Sportage has a black grille graphic stretching across the width of the face. The elongated grille links Kia’s modern signature Tiger Nose grille to the boomerang-shaped daytime running lamps. Yes, boomerang shaped – one of the world’s oldest cultures has provided a shape developed tens of thousands of years ago.

At the rear, Sportage has been given what Kia describes as strength and stability. The razor rear lamps are connected by a slim horizontal design to give a wide impression from the back.

Inside, a curved display with a slim touchscreen pad and air vents forms a curved display which sweeps across the front of the Sportage.

The centre console is finished with a high-end gloss and has storage, operating system configuration, cupholders and soft-touch switches. There’s a shift-by-wire transmission dial.

The driver and front passenger seats are in “sporting slim shell design” according to Kia. We hope these aren’t too slim as Aussie males tend to be a fair bit broader in the beam than Korean males…

A sportier Sportage model, tagged as X-Line features a unique bumper, side sill and a curved roof rack. Inside there is sage green or black seating, as well as bold quilting and black metal wood.

Due for global market launch later this year, more information on the all-new Sportage will be made available in due course.

Kia advises that the specifications and features in its news release may vary depending on country and region. When the new Sportage comes to Australia we will publish a further news story with full specs and pricing, and follow that up with a comprehensive road test.

About Ewan Kennedy

Ewan Kennedy, a long-time car enthusiast, was Technical Research Librarian with the NRMA from 1970 until 1985. He worked part-time as a freelance motoring journalist from 1977 until 1985, when he took a full-time position as Technical Editor with Modern Motor magazine. Late in 1987 he left to set up a full-time business as a freelance motoring journalist. Ewan is an associate member of the Society of Automotive Engineers - International. An economy driving expert, he set the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance travelled in a standard road vehicle on a single fuel fill. He lists his hobbies as stage acting, travelling, boating and reading.
Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *