For immediate release

Enhanced 2014 Kia Sportage is significantly upgraded

  • Best-selling Kia model looks sharper, feels softer and drives better
  • Premium sound system tops list of new features for 2014
  • Significantly reduced NVH for greater refinement

Sicily, 17 March 2014–Earlier this month Kia Motors revealed enhanced versions of the brand’s best-selling model in Europe, the compact crossover Kia Sportage, at the Geneva Motor Show. For 2014, the Sportage receives small but significant upgrades to its modern exterior, as well as a refreshed interior design and new materials throughout the cabin.

The exterior design features a new front grille, new LED rear lamp clusters, a new range of alloy wheels with a choice of 16-, 17- or 18-inch diameter, and a shark-fin roof antenna. Inside, the enhanced Sportage benefits from greater use of soft-touch materials across the dashboard and the upper door panels, a new Supervision instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch LCD display screen and new combinations of leather and/or cloth seat trims.

The 2014 Sportage also receives a range of new features, depending on model, to boost its appeal to buyers across Europe. Available featuresinclude a new audio system with 4.3-inch colour touchscreen with rear view camera, a new premium Infinity by Harman sound system(linked to the 4.3-inch radio display and the 7.0-inch navigation) with an external amplifier, sub-woofer and seven speakers, Kia’s multi-mode FlexSteer system, heated steering wheel, powered driver’s seat and new USB iPod connectivity.

Driving the enhanced Sportage will be an even more refined experience than the current model, thanks to a number of changes designed to minimise noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). A new soundproof windscreen, with an interlayer film between the glass laminations, reduces wind noise.

Three engineering improvements minimise vibrations – the front subframe is now bush-mounted (rather than bolted directly to the bodyshell), an intermediate shaft is added to the drivetrain,resulting in symmetrical (equal length) front drive shafts and a new mounting bracket for the transmission has greater rigidity and reduced resonance.

Additional modifications to the chassis and suspension further improve ride, handling and NVH performance. The modified front stabiliser softens the ride of the Sportage and reduces understeer under cornering, while a new damper valve system further improves the balance between a smoother ride and confidence-inspiring handling. Softer suspension top mounts also improve NVH and ride comfort. The rear springs have been stiffened slightly to improve trailer stability and body control while towing.

Accompanying the newly-fitted FlexSteer system, steering response and stability is improved by increasing the wheel offset angle slightly. The steering rack is now 4.5 percent quicker than the earlier version of the Sportage, with 2.7 turns lock-to-lock, for greater response and stability. New tyre specifications for all 17- and 18-inch wheels also ensures better handling in all weather conditions and greater levels of steering feedback.

In Europe, the enhanced 2014 Sportage will continue to offer customers a choice of diesel or gasoline engines, six-speed manual or automatic transmissions and front-wheel drive (2WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) – depending on model. For greater security when towing, the 2014 model has an improved ESC (electronic stability control), now incorporating a trailer stability control system and roll-over protection.

Made in Europe, the Sportage is Kia’s best-selling model in Europe, with 89,553 units sold in 2013, a year-on-year increase of 10.5percent. Manufactured at Kia’s Žilina plant in Slovakia, the enhanced 2014 Kia Sportageis due to go on sale across Europe later this year.

- Ends -

Editors’ Notes

Kia Motors Europe

Kia Motors Europe is the European sales, marketing, and service arm of Kia Motors Corporation. With its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, it covers 30 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation

Kia Motors Corporation ( – a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over 2.7 million Kia vehicles a year are produced in 10 manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 150 countries.

Kia today has over 48,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of US$43 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan – "The Power to Surprise" – represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS / EUROPE

Enhanced 2014 Kia Sportage

Body & Chassis

Five-door, five-seater compact crossover SUV, with all-steel unitary construction bodyshell. Depending on model, choice of transverse diesel and gasoline engines driving the front (2WD) or front and rear wheels (AWD) via a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Engines

DIESEL

2.0-litre / 184 ps Diesel

Name / Type ‘R2.0’ / DOHC, four-cylinder in line, with single VGT

Capacity 2.0-litres, 1995 cc

Max power 184 ps (135 kW) @ 4000 rpm

Max torque 392 Nm (40 kg.m) @ 1800-2500 rpm / automatic

382 Nm (39 kg.m) @ 1800-2500 rpm / manual

Fuel system CRDi, common-rail, high pressure, direct injection

Turbo system Variable geometry turbocharger (VGT)

Emissions class Euro 5

2.0-litre / 136 ps Diesel

Name / Type ‘R2.0’ / DOHC, four-cylinder in line, with single VGT

Capacity 2.0-litres, 1995 cc

Max power 136 ps (100.0 kW) @ 4000 rpm

Max torque 373 Nm (38.0 kg.m) @ 2000-2500 rpm / automatic

320 Nm (32.5 kg.m) @ 1800-2500 rpm / manual

Fuel system CRDi, common-rail, high pressure, direct injection

Turbo system Variable geometry turbocharger (VGT)

Emissions class Euro 5

1.7-litre / 115 ps Diesel

Name / Type ‘U2’ / DOHC, four-cylinder in line, with single VGT

Capacity 1.7-litres, 1685 cc

Max power 115 ps (84.5 kW) @ 4000 rpm

Max torque 260 Nm (26.5 kg.m) @ 1250-2750 rpm

Fuel system CRDi, common-rail, high pressure, direct injection

Turbo system Variable geometry turbocharger (VGT)

Emissions class Euro 5

GASOLINE

2.0-litre / 166 ps GDI

Name / Type ‘Nu’ / DOHC, four-cylinder in line, with dual CVVT

Capacity 2.0-litres, 1998 cc

Max power 166 ps (122 kW) @6200 rpm

Max torque 205 Nm (20.9 kg.m) @ 4000 rpm

Fuel system Direct injection

Emissions class Euro 5

1.6-litre / 135 ps GDI

Name / Type ‘Gamma’ / DOHC, four-cylinder in line, with dual CVVT

Capacity 1.6-litres, 1591 cc

Max power 135 ps (99.0 kW) @ 6300 rpm

Max torque 164.3 Nm (16.8 kg.m) @ 4850 rpm

Fuel system Direct injection

Emissions class Euro 5

Transmissions

2.0D 1.7D2.0G 1.6G

Manual 6-sp 6-sp 6-sp 6-sp

Automatic 6-sp ----- 6-sp -----

Drivetrains

Diesel 2.0D 184 MT/AT 2.0D 136 MT/AT 1.7D MT

2WD S / ----- S / ----- S

AWD S / S S / S -----

Gasoline 2.0G MT/AT 1.6G MT

2WD S / ----- S

AWD S / S -----

S = available as standard

2WD

Delivers 100% of torque/power to the front wheels. Safety aided by electronic Traction Control, ABS anti-lock braking and (optional for some countries) ESC with Downhill Brake Control and Hill-start Assist Control.

AWD

Permanent electronically controlled AWD system with single ratio (High). Delivers 100% of torque to front wheels during normal road driving and up to 60/40 (front/rear) split depending on conditions. Manually selected ‘Lock Mode’ splits torque 50/50 between front/rear axles for enhanced stability during slippery conditions (up to 40 km/h).

Suspension & Damping

Front Fully independent by subframe-mounted MacPherson Struts, with coil springs and gas-filled shock absorbers. Anti-roll stabiliser bar.

Rear Fully independent by subframe-mounted multi-links, coil springs and gas-filled shock absorbers.

Steering

Type MDPS, electric motor driven power-assisted rack and pinion

Gearing 2.83turns lock-to-lock

Turning circle 10.6 metres

Brakes

Power Single 11-inch booster (LHD)

Front 300 x 28 mm ventilated discs

Rear262 x 10 mm solid discs (2WD)

284 x 10 mm solid discs (AWD)

Parking brake Hand-operated lever

ABS 4-channel anti-lock system with EBD

BASBoosts braking power during emergency stops

DBC Downhill brake control maintains 8 kph speed during descents

Wheels & Tyres

Standard Alloy 16 in x 6.5J215/70 R16 tyres

Options Alloy 17 in x 6.5J 225/60 R17 tyres

Alloy 18 in x 6.5J 235/55 R18 tyres

Spare (Standard) Tyre mobility kit

Dimensions (mm)

Exterior

Overall length 4440

Overall width* 1855

Overall height 1630**

Wheelbase 2640

Front track 1615 to1597 (depending on wheel size)

Rear track 1616 to 1598 (depending on wheel size)

Front overhang 890

Rear overhang 910

Ground clearance 172

*excluding door mirrors / **excluding roof rack

InteriorFront Rear

Headroom 992 977

Legroom 1051 963

Shoulder room 1440 1400

Hip room1364 1246

Capacities (all models)

Fuel tank (litres) 58.0

Luggage (VDA) 564 litres (behind rear seats)

1353 litres (behind front seats, rear seats folded)

Off-road Capabilities

Approach angle 22.4 degrees Departure angle 27.8 degrees

Ramp over angle17.7 degrees Roll over angle 45.0 degrees

Max climb angle 44.2 degrees

Weights (kg)

Diesel 2.0D 184 MT/AT 2.0D 136 MT/AT 1.7D MT

All-wheel drive

Minimum 1525 / 16011525 / 1601-----

Maximum 2140 / 2140 2140 / 2140 -----

2-wheel drive

Minimum 1475 / ----- 1458 / ----- 1415

Maximum 2090 / ----- 2090 / ----- 1940

Gasoline 2.0G MT/AT 1.6G MT

All-wheel drive

Minimum 1450 / 1469 -----

Maximum 2030 / 2030 -----

2-wheel drive

Minimum 1380 / 1397 1305

Maximum 1980 / 1980 1830

Performance

Diesel 2.0D 184 MT/AT 2.0D 136 MT/AT 1.7D MT

All-wheel drive

Top speed / kph 194 / 195 181 / 182 -----

0-to-100 kph / sec 9.8 / 9.8 11.3 / 12.1 -----

Towing (max) kg* 2000 / 1600 2000 / 1600 -----

2-wheel drive

Top speed / kph 195 / -----182 / ----- 173

0-to-100 kph / sec 9.4 / ----- 10.8 / ----- 12.3

Towing (max) kg* 2000 / ----- 2000 / ----- 1200

*trailer with brakes

Performance

Gasoline 2.0G MT/AT 1.6G MT

All-wheel drive

Top speed / kph 195 / 181-----

0-to-100 kph / sec 10.9 / 11.0 -----

Towing (max) kg* 1900 / 1600 -----

2-wheel drive

Top speed / kph 196 / 183178

0-to-100 kph / sec 10.4 / 10.4 11.1

Towing (max) kg* 1900 / 1600 1200

*trailer with brakes

Economy & Emissions(models with 16- and 17-inch wheels)

Diesel 2.0D 184 MT/AT 2.0D 136 MT/AT 1.7D MT

All-wheel drive

Combined (l/100 km) 6.0 / 7.1 5.7 / 6.9 -----

CO2 (g/km) 156 / 187 149 / 179-----

2-wheel drive

Combined (l/100 km) 5.9 / ----- 5.5 / ----- 5.3

CO2 (g/km) 154 / ----- 147 / ----- 139

Gasoline 2.0G MT/AT 1.6G MT

All-wheel drive

Combined (l/100 km) 8.0 / 8.3 -----

CO2 (g/km) 186 / 193 -----

2-wheel drive

Combined (l/100 km) 7.8 / 7.9 6.8

CO2 (g/km) 182 / 184 158

Economy & Emissions(models with ISG, 16- and 17-inch wheels)

1.7D MT 1.6G MT

2-wheel drive

Combined (l/100 km) 5.2 6.4

CO2 (g/km) 135. 149

*fuel consumption and CO2 data are manufacture’s figures

MARCH 2014

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