Kia Sorento 3rd Generation Unveiled in Korea

Information on the all new 3rd generation Kia Sorento has been drip fed over the past month to ensure a level of excitement leading up to its official unveiling in Korea today.  Named “Streetwolf” by its designers this new variant of the popular SUV has been marketed as offering a unique blend or style, practicality and technology which builds on the success of the outgoing model.

Exterior

With a desire to introduce a higher levels of sophistication and a premium look and feel the all new 3rd generation Kia Sorento has a smoother, swept back profile incorporating deeply sculptured surfaces.

With its “tiger nose” grille, which was first featured on the 2013 Kia Cross GT concept, the front end also incorporates long wrap around headlights and prominent fog lamps. Retaining its signature long bonnet and wide D pillar the Kia Sorento has a lower roofline and a higher belt line leading into a swept back shape giving the car its on or off road confident appearance.

The rear of the Kia Sorento features more prominent shoulders and a well defined registration plate surround which utilises new laser welding techniques resulting in invisible weld lines.

Dimensions

The new Kia Sorento is almost 10cm longer at 4.78 metres and with its lower roofline is 1.5 cm lower at 1.685 metres while .5cm wider at 1.89 metres.

Interior

 

The interior was designed by Kia’s , Frankfurt based, design team and the European influence is clearly visible incorporating a “modern and wide” theme with more luxurious finishes than its predecessor. The wider instrument cluster and a wrap around shape of the dashboard which extends into the door trims is clear evidence of the “wide” theme while the incorporation of higher proportion of soft touch materials and leather provides the “modern” luxury feel.

As a result of the extended wheelbase there is increased space in the cabin area, and although the roofline is lower the repositioning of seat cushions means additional head room for all occupants in all three rows (yes the Kia Sorento is available in either a 5 or 7 seat version) as well as additional leg room.

Cargo space has also been enhanced with a longer cargo bay floor (up by almost 9cm) resulting in a 17.5% increase in capacity as well as the inclusion of a new under floor tonneau cover storage compartment.

To enhance the overall experience soundproofing has been beefed up through a strengthening of the body shell structure and new soundproofing material for the transmission tunnel, thicker dashboard soundproofing panel which has resulted in a 3 to 6 percent reduction in cabin noise.

Technology

Technology has been enhanced and depending on the market, new features will include:

1. An around view monitor with four cameras – assists driver with parking;
2. Smart power tailgate – which opens the tailgate automatically when the key is “sensed” within proximity of the rear of the vehicle.

Engine

Depending on the market there are 5 engine available with the new Kia Sorento which offer power outputs ranging from 126kw to 198kw. The engines include

1. a 2.4 litre petrol direct injection unit;
2. a 2.4 litre multi point injection unit;
3. a 3.3 litre multi point injection unit;
4. a revised 2 litre “R” turbo diesel unit; and
5. a revised 2.2 litre “R” turbo diesel unit.

Ride Handling

Complementing the range of engines, there has been an enhancement in suspension with modifications made to the fully independent suspension (MacPherson struts at the front and Kia’s multi-link system at the rear) including larger bushings at the rear and the larger shock absorbers are now mounted vertically behind the axle line which improves body control.

At the front, an all-new electric motor-driven power steering system (R-MDPS), available as either standard or optional equipment depending on country, is mounted directly onto the steering rack – rather than the steering column as on the outgoing model. This provides greater steering feel and quicker response.

Safety

With a significantly stronger structure due primarily to the increased use of ultra-high tensile steel (52.7% use of ultra high tensile steel in the new model compared to 24.4% in previous model) the Kia Sorento has achieved improvements in maintaining structural integrity in times of impact.

Safety systems which will be available to purchasers (once again depending on market) include:

1. ASCC (Adaptive Smart Cruise Control);
2. LDWS (Lane Departure Warning System);
3. FCW (Front Collisions Warning);
4. BSD (Blind Spot Detection);
5. LCA (Lane Change Assist);
6. RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert); and
7. SLIF (Speed Limit Information Function).

The all new Kia Sorento is further evidence of the maturing of the Kia brand into a highly competitive and innovative marque offering modern design and vehicle options to the consumer.

For further information:

www.kia.com.au

 

Tags: 3rd generation, all new, featured, Kia, sorento, third generation

Category: News