Korea’s on a winning streak
Next month’s Geneva Motor Show marks the unofficial start of spring for me. As the new March 2020 registration plate rolls out, the real-world stars among the pricey supercars will include Korean car firm Kia’s new flagship 4th-generation seven-seater Sorento SUV.
This new Sorento is another triumph for Korea, which is still celebrating Oscar glory with Bong Joon-ho’s film Parasite.
Since the launch of the original in 2002, Kia has sold more than 53,000 Sorentos in the UK, including 2,876 last year. When on sale in late summer, the new model will feature two engine options: a 202 hp 2.2-litre diesel linked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox; and a new Smartstream turbo-hybrid pairing a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 44.2kW electric motor and 1.5kWh battery, which together create 230 hp. A plugin hybrid version follows later.
Customers can choose front or allwheel drive versions, except with the plug-in hybrid, which will be available only as a 4x4.
Although slightly longer than the model it replaces, this new version has styling proportions which make it look even sleeker, with shorter overhangs at the front and rear. the interior promises to be a step upmarket.
Although final UK specifications are yet to be confirmed, expect leather seats, autonomous emergency braking with cyclist detection and dual-zone climate control. top-range models will get heated and ventilated seats, wireless phone charging and cruise control. With the third-row rear seats flat, there will be 910 litres of boot space.
Among some technical firsts for Kia are a self-parking function accessed via the key fob.
A multi-collision brake system enables the car to mitigate the severity of secondary collisions. It automatically applies vehicle brakes when the airbags have been deployed after an initial collision, further protecting occupants from secondary frontal or side impacts.
This is no facelift; the car is on a new platform ‘designed and engineered to take on everything life can throw at it’, the firm claims. expect the range to cost from about £30,500 to £44,000.