Ever since Kia placed German automobile designer Peter Schreyer at the helm of its design division in 2006, the Korean automaker's products have gone from good to better, as far as styling is concerned (mpg's, not so much…).
Design, however, is a process that constantly evolves and is always in need of some fresh input, so it's actually great to see independent stylists applying their personal touch on an automaker's products.
Kia has released details and pricing on its new turbocharged 2011 Sportage SX compact CUV, scheduled to arrive in the firm's U.S. showrooms later this month. The Sportage SX is Kia's second vehicle in the States to feature the company's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with direct-injection technology and a twin-scroll turbocharger that delivers 256 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of peak torque.
The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), which is similar to the American IIHS testing regimen, has released a list with the safest car in each vehicle category and the two worst performers overall of 2010. The cars that attained the coveted five star rating and achieved the highest overall score in their respective segment are:
------ Executive category: BMW 5 Series
------ Small Family category: Alfa Romeo Giulietta
------ Supermini category: Honda CR-Z
------ Small off-road 4×4 category: Kia Sportage
------ Small MPV category: Toyota Verso
On the other side of the fence are two models that achieved the poorest results of 2010. These are the Citroen Nemo with three stars and China's Landwind CV9 that received only two stars.
Kia has teamed up with fashion and lifestyle magazine Antenna to create a pair of concept models based on the new Sportage CUV for this year's edition of the SEMA Show, which takes place in Las Vegas from November 2 to 5. The modified Sportage models are nicknamed "Work" and "Play," and as their names suggest, one is made to appeal to the tech-savvy, on-the-go professionals and the other to recreational enthusiasts. We'll have more on both models from the SEMA Show floor, but for now, follow the break for the press details.
At this week's Paris Motor Show, Kia displayed the Sportage Mild Hybrid eco concept. Based on the latest generation of the South Korean firm's compact SUV model, the concept hooks up Kia's 1.7-liter turbo diesel engine, which produces 115-horsepower and 260Nm of peak torque, to a 5 kW electric motor with a double layer capacitor.
After the recent launch of the limited production Sportage First Edition models, Kia UK has announced pricing (see US pricing here) on the full-range of its compact SUV that goes on sale in the country on November 1st. The full lineup consists of four engines, including two petrol units, a 140HP 1.6-liter powerplant and a 2.0-liter with 161HP, and two diesels, a 1.7-liter delivering 115HP and a 2.0-liter with 136HP.
Following the initial release of 850 units of the diesel-powered 2011 Sportage First Edition 2.0 CRDi AWD in Britain ahead of the full-range going on sale later in the year, Kia UK has announced the addition 300 petrol engined versions of its newest crossover after what the company describes as strong demand.
Kia announced today that its all-new 2011 Sportage compact crossover goes on sale in the U.S. at the end of the July with a starting price of $18,990, which includes a $695 destination and handling fee. There are three trim levels, Base, LX and EX. Standard safety features include ABS, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and six airbags.
At launch, the South Korean firm's fully redesigned crossover comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 176HP, while returning 22mpg in the city and 31mpg on the highway. A far more potent 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI petrol engine with 270+ horsepower will join the range next year.
