More and more parts of the world are enjoying the restyled Kia Sportage. Now the American version is presented in Los Angeles. The modified front part is particularly noteworthy, while the changes at the rear and in the cockpit are more subtle. American information about the range of engines there is interesting.
Both the HEV and PHEV powertrains have been improved by increasing power. The regular gasoline Sportage (diesel version is not available in the US) comes with 190 hp from a 2.5-liter engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, front- or all-wheel drive, and a maximum towing capacity of about 1,600 kilograms.
The Sportage HEV, or hybrid, combines a 1.6-liter turbo-petrol (GDI) and an improved 47.7 kW electric motor with a 6-speed automatic transmission and FWD/AWD drive. 234 HP is available, along with 900 kilograms of pulling power.
In the Sportage PHEV, Kia combines a 1.6-liter turbo-petrol with a 72 kW electric motor and a 6-speed automatic transmission, where four-wheel drive is standard. The system has a total output of 272 hp, an increase of 7 hp. Here, too, the pulling power is 900 kilograms.
Available active four-wheel drive uses an electro-hydraulic clutch with a locking center differential to distribute power between the front and rear axles at a constant 50:50 ratio. There’s also a driver-selectable off-road mode (snow, mud, sand) available on the X-Line, X-Pro Prestige and all AWD models.
The Sportage X-Pro Prestige for the American market is particularly impressive. It is equipped with the appropriate off-road equipment, including: BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, 17-inch off-road wheels in matte black, active four-wheel drive with off-road mode and an exclusive two-tone roof design.
Otherwise, premieres at Kia follow a certain pattern. Most often, the manufacturer first shows the design of the new model and gives the first information for the domestic market in South Korea.
The restyling of the fifth generation Sportage can be easily recognized by the completely new front part with a squarer grille and vertically positioned headlights, characteristic of the Sorento and the redesigned Picanto. There are relatively few changes at the rear, and the Sportage retains its distinctiveness despite the modified bumper and new graphics for the LED taillights. Let’s not skip anything: the design of the rims is also new.
In the interior of the restyled Kia Sportage, there is a new, more horizontal arrangement of the control panel with new ventilation openings, a polygonal steering wheel with a new design and a curved panoramic screen, which unites the instruments and infotainment with the new operating system. Here you can also notice the connection with related models in the program. In addition, there are folding mirrors, 3D cameras, an assistant for changing lanes on the highway and automatic emergency braking that also recognizes motorcycles.
When it comes to engines, the South Korean market offers a 1.6-liter turbo-petrol with 180 hp, which for the first time is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission with a torque converter, as well as its mild-hybrid variant, also with 180 hp, with a six-speed with a double-clutch gearbox. Both are available with front or four-wheel drive. Also available is a bifuel version with gasoline/TNG drive with 146 hp and atmospheric two-liter gasoline and front-wheel drive in the domestic Korean market.
Although this engine would be very interesting for our market, it is unlikely that we can count on it. Apparently, versions with full hybrid and plug-in hybrid drive will be offered here, while it is not yet known whether a diesel mild-hybrid version will be available for the restyled Sportage. There is still no information on when the premiere of the restyled European version will be held, and therefore no precise information about engines and exact changes for this part of Europe.
Source: www.magazinauto.com
