Next - Generation Kia Sorento SUV

SYDNEY – October 22, 2009

Introduction
New styling, powertrains and technology creates a 'stand-out' SUV
The first-generation Kia Sorento was a 'landmark' vehicle which took the Korean brand into a whole new section of the automotive market all around the world. Introduced in 2002, it marked a huge step for Kia, challenging many established brands and starting the process of changing public perception of Kia as just a 'maker of small cars'.

At its launch, the first-generation Sorento injected excitement into the SUV segment with its 'stand-out' looks and real four-wheel-drive ability. Sorento earned widespread media and public acclaim for its innovative styling, durability, off-road abilities and value-for-money. Over the next seven years, it attracted thousands of customers who had not previously considered buying a Kia, and achieved global sales of almost 900,000 units.

With such a strong record of success behind it, the next-generation Kia Sorento had to be even more of a 'stand-out' car - a modern interpretation of the SUV that addresses everyday needs at an affordable price.

The next-generation Sorento heralds a new era for Kia in the rapidly evolving SUV market.

During its development, Kia's engineers concentrated on five key development areas - class-leading performance; increased fuel economy and reduced emissions; improved on-road handling and more fun-to-drive responsiveness; greater cabin space and comfort; and enhanced overall crash safety - to match the enhanced technologies and equipment destined for the new model.

The new Sorento has modern styling from the guiding hand of global design chief Peter Schreyer, class-leading powertrains, greater space, more car-like driving responses and minimises its environmental impact.

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.

Reacting to market forces and consumer trends, Kia has downsized the engines available for new Sorento while improving the efficiency of all the powertrains. Its much anticipated 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 delivers class-leading performance.

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 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.

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.

Naturally, every model in the new Sorento range - base-spec Si, mid-spec SLi and top-spec Platinum - is well-equipped and is covered by Kia's unlimited kilometre 5-year warranty.

The new Kia Sorento SUV will initially be built at the Hwasung facility in Korea. Next year, the new Sorento will also be built at Kia's new US plant at West Point, Georgia to supply the North American market.

Styling & Design
Longer and lower, next-generation Sorento brings sleek styling and futuristic touches to the urban SUV
With its longer front overhang, wedge profile, crisply defined greenhouse and accentuated wheel arch volumes, Kia's new SUV looks thoroughly modern and sporty. Styled by a team headed by Kia's chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, the 4.7-metre long new Sorento moves vehicle design in this segment up to a new level of sophistication, introducing a bold sense of power and dynamism. 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.

"The dynamic design of the next-generation Kia Sorento adopts simple, linear lines to create a powerful, yet polished appearance. Both sporty and striking, new Sorento represents a new breed of SUV," comments Peter Schreyer.

Bold frontal styling, which incorporates Kia's new 'signature grille' that blends seamlessly into the new Sorento's four-light, black bezel wrap-around headlamps, creates a simple yet striking character. Although the vehicle's width is unchanged, the overall stance is much stronger because the track has been widened by 38 mm (front) and by 41 mm (rear) - compared with the previous model - pushing the wheels to the outer edges of the wheel arches.

The profile's rising upper belt-line and its chiselled treatment beneath the greenhouse, plus the unique trapezoid C-Pillar adds tension and endows new Sorento with a distinctive appearance. Rugged styling for the lower character lines adds dynamic flair. The visual impact generated by the side view is boosted by the fitting of large diameter 17-inch alloy wheels on the Si model and 18-inch wheels on SLi and Platinum models.

Extending the rear window to the outer edges of the simply styled tailgate, hints at the light-filled, spacious cabin within. Large LED-look multi-colour rear combination lamps on the SLi and Platinum present a novel aspect and the two-tone bumper with its black lower mesh garnish enhances the new Sorento's sporty appearance. LED is also used in the turn-repeater lamps incorporated into each door mirror housing.

A two-part glass Panorama Roof is fitted to the Platinum model. The rear section is fixed, while the front section is powered and can be tilted for ventilation or slide fully back to enjoy uninterrupted views. Inside, a multi-position roller blind allows the level of shade within the cabin to be finely adjusted.

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.