New images and updated engine details for the 2015 Kia Sorento have been revealed ahead of the SUV’s
local arrival in the first quarter of 2015.
The all-new Sorento has been confirmed to be powered by a pair of
engines when it goes on sale here, including a new 3.3-litre petrol V6 with up
to 198kW of power (exact outputs to be confirmed), and a revised 2.2-litre
turbo diesel four-cylinder engine producing 147kW of power at 3800rpm and 441Nm
between 1750-2750rpm. The current version has a 2.2-litre diesel with
145kW/421Nm, while the petrol offering is a 3.5-litre V6 with 204kW/335Nm.
No fuel consumption figures have been made public, though Kia
states that the diesel versions will be Euro 6 emissions compliant. It is
expected that the Sorento will be sold with a six-speed automatic gearbox as
standard across the petrol and diesel ranges.
Kia claims the all-new model benefits from’ ’improvements
to noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and a step-change in interior quality
and design’.
The chassis of the new model has been stiffened to increase
torsional rigidity, while Kia claims it has improved ‘every aspect of the
Sorento’s driving experience, creating upgrades for the engines, steering and
suspension’. As is the case with most Kia models, the Sorento will be
fine-tuned to Australian conditions by the company’s local suspension
skunkworks.
The interior fitout was led by Kia’s European designers, and the
company claims the result is a ‘more sophisticated, more luxurious cabin,
featuring significantly higher quality materials’, including a higher
proportion of soft-touch plastics and leather.
Official specifications for Australia are yet to be revealed,
though the European market version will be offered with either a full black
interior, or a two-tone black and beige finish. Leather trim options are set to
include brown or light grey finishes.
The new Sorento is longer than the car it replaces at 4780
millimetres (+95mm), and is wider by 5mm (now 1890mm), but with a roof height
15mm lower than the current car (1685mm). The wheelbase has been stretched to
better accommodate passengers (now 2780mm ‘" was 2700mm).
Boot space has increased from 515 litres to 605L, and a new
under-floor storage section allows stowage of the cargo cover.
While European-spec versions will be offered with five or seven
seats, all Australian-delivered models will have a 5+2 layout as standard.
Official specifications for Australian models are yet to be
announced but the company has confirmed the Sorento will be offered with
convenience items such as an Around-View Monitor (with four cameras used to display
a bird’s-eye view of the car when parking), and a power tailgate with auto
opening when the key is sensed near the boot.
Safety items added to the new model will likely include adaptive
cruise control, lane-departure warning system, blind-spot detection, rear
cross-traffic alert, and a speed limit information system that can detect speed
signs and display them to the driver on the dashboard.
2015 Kia Sorento.
Comments
Post a Comment