Next-Generation Kia Sorento Diesel Leads in Global Green Challenge

SYDNEY – October 26, 2009: The two next-generation Kia Sorento diesels of Team Kia Australia led the SUV Medium class at the end of Day 1 of the 2009 Global Green Challenge, after the 317km leg from Darwin to Katherine in the Northern Territory.

Just days after its official Australian launch, and with minimal preparation, the new Kia Sorento with R-series CRDi turbo diesel engine delivered on its promise of class-leading fuel efficiency.

The team's two Sorento entries were placed first and second in the SUV Medium class after Day 1, demonstrating the high efficiency and class-leading economy of the all-new R-series diesel engine.

Flagged away from the NT Parliament House in Darwin, the Team Kia Australia entries made a circuit of Darwin's urban area before heading down the Stuart Highway bound for Katherine.

The winner in each Global Green Challenge class will be the entry that demonstrates the greatest improvement on its ADR fuel consumption and emissions ratings.

The all-new, high-tech R-series turbo diesel engine punches out 145kW of power and an astounding 422Nm of maximum torque (with manual transmission) from just 2.2 litres, with combined ADR fuel consumption of 6.7 litres/100 kms and CO2 emissions of just 177g/km.

Team Kia Australia is out to prove that the just-launched next-generation Sorento CRDi is the most efficient Medium SUV in the Global Green Challenge field.

Watch out this week as the next-generation 7-seat Sorento CRDi with R-series diesel gets even more efficient on the run to Adelaide. Team Kia Australia will be writing a blog throughout the Global Green Challenge, so visit the Kia Motors Australia website at www.kia.com.au or click on http://kiacannonballrun.posterous.com each day for all the latest news.