KIA UPDATES SPORTAGE WITH HYBRID DRIVETRAIN

Kia has revealed details of the 2018 update to its popular Sportage SUV.

For the first time, the Sportage will be available with a mild-hybrid powertrain alongside the traditional petrol and diesel engines.

The Sportage’s new Ecodynamic+ 48V diesel mildhybrid powertrain is the first to be launched as part of the brand’s global powertrain electrification strategy.

Kia is the first manufacturer to offer hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery-electric and 48-volt mild-hybrid technology across its full model line-up.

Kia says it will launch 16 advanced powertrain vehicles by 2025, including five new hybrids, five plug-in hybrids, five battery-electric vehicles and, in 2020, a new fuel-cell electric vehicle (see page 13).

The mild-hybrid system supplements acceleration with power from a 48-volt battery, and extends engine ‘off time’ with a new starter-generator unit. Kia claims it can reduce CO2 emissions by up to four per cent on the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure.

The Sportage’s existing 1.7-litre diesel engine has been replaced with a new 1.6-litre unit available with 114bhp or 134bhp. The higher-powered models will be available with all-wheel drive and sevenspeed double-clutch transmission.

Away from the drivetrain, the Sportage’s design has been tweaked with new front and rear bumpers and lights and a range of new alloy wheels ranging from 16 to 19 inches.

The new Sportage adopts Kia’s latest advanced driving assistance systems, including smart cruise control with stop and go, an around view monitor for easier parking manoeuvres, and driver attention warning.

Inside the Sportage features a new instrument cluster and steering wheel and a choice of new infotainment systems with either as even-inch touch screen or a‘ frame less’ eight inch screen.

Kia sold more than 131,000 examples of the Sportage in 2017, representing a quarter of the brand’s total European sales. In the UK, the Sportage continues to be the brand’s biggest seller with 39,683 delivered to customers in 2017, making up over a third of UK sales last year.