Kia Motors unveils its fourth-generation Sportage SUV

Kia Motors will launch the fourth generation of its mid-size sports utility vehicle (SUV) Sportage under the theme of "The SUV, Sportage." It is a full change in five years. Sportage is the global best-seller model among Kia cars. Since its launch in 1993, more than 3.5 million units of the Sportage have been sold.

Kia held a media presentation for the Sportage at the Kia Design Center in the Hyundai Motor Group’s Namyang R&D Center on Thursday. The biggest difference from the third generation is the front fascia with the "sporty and powerful energy" concept applied.

A radiator grille and headlights had been connected on the third generation. But for the fourth generation of the Sportage, headlights are placed at higher locations than the radiator grille to emphasize the volume. The vehicle body length and the wheelbase (the length from front wheels and the rear wheels) has been extended by 40 millimeters and 30 millimeters, respectively, which makes the indoor space more spacious and comfortable. “While the third generation looks neat and clean, the fourth generation design reflects sentiment for outdoor activities,” said Im Seung-bin, the head of Kia’s Exterior Design 1 Team.

“The fourth-generation Sportage shares a powertrain with Hyundai’s Tucson, Sportage engine is tuned and set for active driving," said Heo Jae-ho at the Hyundai Motor Group’s RV General2 PM Team. Advanced high-strength steel is used for 51 percent of the body. Fuel efficiency is 14.4 kilometers per liter (for 2.0 Diesel 2WD automatic transmission type), which is the same as Tucson.

Kia opened some of its design center to the press for the first time. The design center was established in May last year. Kia’s concept vehicle KED-8 greeted guests in the lobby of the center having the total floor area of 17,100 square meters.

In the indoor showcase room, window shades were turning around right below the glass ceiling to change the amount and direction of sun lights so that visitors could see how a vehicle looks different depending on the light. The outdoor exhibit space was 3300 square meters in size, which enabled visitors to evaluate a vehicle’s design from a short distance, from a long distance and when the car is running on the road. “Kia Design Center is an incubator to establish Kia vehicles’ unique design identity and the cradle of design competitiveness,” said Jeong Rak, vice president of General PM at Hyundai Motor Group.