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Next generation Kia
Sorento has arrived in Australia
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Kia
25th October, 2009
The latest generation of Kia's
Sorento SUV is now available in Australia. It arrives some 7 years since the
Sorento debut in 2002 and after some 900,000 units sold worldwide.
The
new Sorento is available in three trim levels (Si, SLi and Platinum) with two
engines and the choice of two or four wheel drive.
Kia's engineers concentrated on five key
development areas during the design and development of the latest Sorento -
class-leading performance; improved fuel economy, reduced emissions,
improved on-road handling, better responsiveness, greater cabin space and
comfort and enhanced overall crash safety.
The design of new Sorento is from the guiding
hand of global design chief Peter Schreyer. Its longer, lower, sleeker
styling introduces a bold sense of power and dynamism to once again
differentiate Kia's larger SUV from potential rivals by incorporating the
company's new design DNA including the Schreyer 'corporate grille' into the
next-generation Sorento. The designers of the new Sorento have also achieved
a significant reduction in drag with an aerodynamic Cd of 0.38, compared to
0.425 for the previous model.
Much of the detail design work for the
next-generation Sorento was carried out at Kia's design centre in
California, USA. "We wanted to create a modern design that reflects the
vehicle's next-generation unitary platform," observes Tom Kearns, Chief
Designer, Kia Design Centre America.
"We wanted the exterior and interior design to
consistently communicate the new attributes - better ride, handling and fuel
efficiency - with a more advanced expression that also captured our new Kia
design language. The vehicle is sleeker and sportier than its predecessor.
It communicates athleticism, precision and modernity and I think looks as
good as it drives," adds Kearns.
The next-generation Sorento will be available
in a choice of 11 exterior colours: Ebony Black, Clear White, Khaki, Denim,
Inky Blue, Java Brown, Brighter Silver, Muscle Beige, Metal Bronze, Titanium
Silver, Spicy Red.
The new Sorento is 95 mm longer and 15 mm
lower than the previous model and features a wheelbase that has been reduced
by 10 mm to 2700 mm. A combination of changes - the A-pillars and the
dashboard have been moved forwards, the tailgate has been moved rearwards by
almost 70 mm, and the first and second row seats are a slimmer design -
vastly increases the cabin space, allowing the fitting of the optional third
row of seats to the benefit of up to seven occupants.
Reacting to market forces and consumer
trends, Kia has downsized the engines available for new Sorento while
improving the efficiency of all the powertrains. The petrol V6 in the
previous model has been replaced by a 2.4-litre Theta II four-cylinder
engine and the 2.5-litre diesel has been replaced by the all-new R2.2-litre
diesel unit.
The all-new 145kW 'R2.2' diesel engine,
developed at Kia's diesel engine centre of excellence in Europe, and
upgraded 128kW four-cylinder petrol engine both deliver class-leading
performance.
The R2.2 generates a maximum of 145 kW and
436 Nm of torque from just 1,800 rpm. For use with the manual transmission,
the engine is re-tuned to produce 422 Nm.
The R2.2 engine benefits
from a third generation common-rail fuel system that delivers diesel at high
pressure (1600-bar) with accuracy and control. Features of the R2.2 engine
include all-aluminium construction, an electronic variable geometry
turbocharger (VGT), an advanced ECU (engine control unit) with a 32-bit
microprocessor, a new high-efficiency exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR)
with cooler and bypass valve, a chain-driven DOHC 16-valve intake/exhaust
system with hydraulic lash adjusters, and a balancer shaft.
The new
diesel also feature numerous weight-saving plastic components such as the
intake manifold with swirl control valves, cylinder head cover and
cartridge-type oil filter housing.
When fitted with the R2.2 diesel,
the new Sorento outperforms the 2.4-litre Theta II-engined car, reaching 100
kmh from standstill in 9.6 seconds with the manual transmission and 10.0
seconds with the automatic transmission.
Powered by the Theta II engine, the new
Sorento accelerates to 100 kmh in 11.1 seconds (automatic) and attains a top
speed of 190 kmh. This DOHC four-cylinder power unit has dual continuously
variable valve timing (D-CVVT) for both the intake and exhaust valves, four
valves per cylinder and features weight-saving all-aluminium construction
with a cast aluminium block, cylinder head and sump. Maximum engine speed is
6000 rpm and maximum power output is 128 kW, with 225 Nm of peak torque at
3750 rpm.
Combined with next-generation 6-speed manual
and automatic gearboxes, and a choice of 2WD and 4WD systems, the new
powertrains also deliver enhanced fuel economy and CO2 emissions from just
177 g/km. The R2.2 engine's class-leading fuel economy can be compared with
that of a small segment passenger car.
The combined fuel consumption of the new
Sorento CRDi with manual transmission dropped 21% over the previous model,
from 8.5 l/100km to 6.7 l/100km. While the tank size of the new Sorento has
been reduced by 10 litres (70 litres), the range of the diesel manual model
has increase to over 1040km on a single tank, more than 100km greater than
the previous model.
Emissions have also dropped by 21% meaning the
new Sorento is much kinder on the environment.
The Theta II engine's
combined fuel consumption of 9.2L/100km offers a 16% reduction compared with
the previous Sorento's 3.3L petrol V6. In addition, the new engine offers a
significant 15% reduction in CO2 emissions from 260gm/km down to 220gm/km.
The Theta II engine's efficiency also delivers an increased possible
range of 761km based on combined cycle, up 27kms on the 3.3L V6.
To emphasise its efficient and competitive
fuel economy, Kia Australia have entered two latest generation Sorento
equipped with the R-series turbo diesel engine into the Global Green
Challenge. After day 1, the Sorento leads the SUV Medium class.
The new Sorento is a car for everyday
drivers. Its car-like ride and handling makes this 7-seat SUV a more supple,
responsive and fun-to-drive experience, as well as having the off-road
ability to enable owners to get off the beaten track.
The new Sorento is bigger and more
comfortable than its predecessor, delivering greater cabin space and more
comfort for everyone with versatile seating for up to seven people,
available for the first time in a Kia SUV.
A new, longer bodyshell, with
repositioned A-pillars and dashboard (moved forwards) and extended tailgate
(moved rearwards), ensures that the cabin is much more spacious than the
current model. The real and perceived quality of the cabin is greatly
enhanced and available high-tech features, depending on model, will include
keyless entry, push button start, reversing safety camera, built-in
navigation and panoramic glass sunroof.
The new Sorento is also a safe car with
advanced 'active' & 'passive' systems that have already earned the car a
5-star Euro NCAP rating and will earn it a 5-star ANCAP rating from December
2009.
Every model in the new Sorento range -
base-spec Si, mid-spec SLi and top-spec Platinum - is covered by Kia's
unlimited kilometre 5-year warranty for private buyers. Business and
government buyers are given a 5 year, 130,000 kilometre warranty.
The new Kia Sorento SUV will be built at the
Hwasung facility in Korea.
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