KIA AUTOMOTIVE AUSTRALIA

Kia Sportage at the Melbourne Motor Show / Page 1 / February 9, 2005

NEW SPORTAGE HEADLINES KIA’S MELBOURNE

SHOW DISPLAY

The all-new Sportage will headline Kia’s display at the Melbourne International Motor Show (3-14 March 2005) prior to its Australian launch in April, taking Kia back to the market sector from which the Korean car maker sprung to world prominence.

First introduced in 1993, Sportage remains Kia’s global best-seller with 568,720 sales, despite the enormous success of models such as Australia’s number one people mover, the Kia Carnival, and Australia’s top selling diesel van, the Pregio, which will share the limelight with the new Kia Sportage at the Melbourne Motor Show.

The original Sportage endowed Kia with a reputation for building tough, go-anywhere 4WDs and the Kia Sorento added to this a level of style previously unseen from Korea. The new Sportage brings together these two elements to product a stylish, versatile 4WD that is well equipped which offers excellent performance on and off the road.

“The new Sportage is a veryimportant vehicle for Kia in Australia,” says Edward Butler, General Manager of Kia Automotive Australia. “The Sportage launched Kia’s name in Australia and with the new model we will be returning to what is a highly important market sector with a new model that is bound to set new standards in a wide range of benchmark tests.”

Compared to competitors in its class the Sportage boasts a longer wheelbase as well as larger overall exterior width and height dimensions. It also outclasses the competition in terms of interior dimensions, with more leg room, second row seating headroom, and total interior volume allowing for maximum cargo space and storage.

The new Kia Sportage will be launched in Australia initially with a 2.7 litre V6 that produces 131 kW at 6,000 rpm with maximum torque of 242Nm at 4,000 rpm matched to a Tiptronic-style automatic gearbox as standard. The four wheel drive system is a torque on demand drivetrain that operates normally in front wheel drive but which switches automatically and instantly to four wheel drive the moment there is any wheelspin. Four wheel drive may also be manually selected for difficult driving conditions.

From a functional standpoint, the Sportage offers spare tyre placement under the cargo area floor, convenient upward swing hatch and flip-up tailgate glass, and ergonomically designed centre fascia with driver-friendly control placement. Seating is designed to allow for multiple variations with its full-flat front seats, fold and dive type rear seats for maximum cargo space, and seat split function for storage of large cargo items.

The Kia Sportage will be launched in Australiain April when full pricing and specification details will be announced.

Sharing the Kia stand with the new Sportage at the Melbourne International Motor Show will be Australia’s third-placed top selling small car, the Kia Rio, the newly launched Kia Cerato, the Kia Optima and the range topping – and award winning – Kia Sorento.

Technical Specifications of the new Kia Sportage

Power Train / 2.7
Engine / Displacement (cc) / 2,656
Max. power (kW/rpm) / 131/6,000
Max. torque (Nm/rpm) / 242/4,000
Transmission / Transmission / 5-Speed Manual & 4-Speed Automatic
Drive type / Full time 4WD
BRAKES
General / Power-Assist Braking System
Front / 381 ventilated disk
Rear / 284 solid disk
SUSPENSION
Front / Macpherson Strut Type
Rear / Dual Link Type
WHEEL & TYRE
Wheel / Alloy Wheel 6.5J × 16
Tyre / 215/65R 16
DIMENSIONS(㎜)
Exterior / Overall length / 4,350
Overall width / 1,800
Overall height / 1,695
Wheel base / 2,630
Interior / Length / 1,785
Width / 1,490
Height / 1,225

THE FULLKIARANGE

Kia Rio sedan and hatchback
The Kia Rio is value for money motoring at its easiest, with it’s the versatile five door or the spacious sedan. Both are comprehensively equipped with power steering, electric front windows, electric mirrors, central locking, air conditioning and CD player and with driveaway pricing budgeting for ownership could not be easier.
Rio hatch / 1.5 litre 16V / 5 door hatch / Manual / $14,990 driveaway
Rio hatch / 1.5 litre 16V / 5 door hatch / Automatic / $16,990 driveaway
Rio sedan / 1.5 litre 16V / 4 door sedan / Manual / $14,990 driveaway
Rio sedan / 1.5 litre 16V / 4 door sedan / Automatic / $16,990 driveaway
Kia RioCerato
The all-new Kia Cerato brings a new level of value for money to the Australian car market with its $18,990 pricing including such luxuries as cruise control as standard. Its 2.0 litre engine offers punchy performance, its chassis a smooth and comfortable ride, all of which is contained in a stylish and refined sedan body. With so many credits in its account, it is no wonder that demand for the Cerato has set new sales records for Kia.
Cerato / 2.0 litre / Manual / 4 Door Sedan / $18,990 driveaway
Cerato / 2.0 litre / Auto / 4 door Sedan / $20,990 driveaway
Kia Optima
There is only one version of the Kia Optima because this is the luxury sedan that has redefined the V6 sedan market with its unique combination of an opulent equipment list and value for money price. Leather trimmed interior, wood lined dashboard, tiptronic style auto gearbox, power steering, mirrors, windows, locks, aerial and a six speaker audio system are all standard, along with a silky smooth V6 engine and elegant styling.
Optima / 2.7 litre V6 / 4 door sedan / Automatic / $27,950 drive away
Kia Sorento
With its reputation for building real world, rugged, go anywhere off road vehicles, it is no surprise that Kia should produce a 4WD as capable as the Kia Sorento or that it should offer such a complete value for money package. The fact that it has the looks to rival its European competitors sets the Sorento on a new level and explains its sales success since its launch.
Sorento / 3.5 litre V6 / 5 door 4WD / Manual / $35,950 drive away
Sorento / 3.5 litre V6 / 5 door 4WD / Automatic / $37,950 drive away
Kia Carnival
Before the Carnival arrived in Australia, people movers were effectively luxury cars, beyond the reach of the very people who needed them the most, typical Australian families. The Carnival, with its seven seats, V6 engine and $29,990 price changed everything and the well equipped, versatile Carnival has been rewarded with the title of Australia’s most popular people mover with families.
2004 Carnival / 2.5 litre V6 / 5 door MPV / Manual / $29,990 Driveaway
2004 Carnival / 2.5 litre V6 / 5 door MPV / Automatic / $32,500 Driveaway
Kia Pregio
Straight to number One. That’s what the Kia Pregio did at its Australian launch; it instantly became Australia’s number one diesel van. Kia clearly recognized that a van has to work for its living and it has to make money, not cost money. That’s why there is one fully equipped version, with a frugal diesel engine, why there is a comprehensive warranty with roadside assistance and why the Pregio is now a common sight right across Australia
Pregio / 2.7 litre diesel / 1.2 tonne van / Manual / $23,990

(ends)

For further information:

Kia Automotive Australia Media Web Site:

Edward Butler
General Manager
Kia Automotive Australia
Ph: (02) 9701 8080
Mob: 0417 294 493
Fax: (02) 9701 3555
E-mail:
Edward Rowe
Public Relations Manager
Kia Automotive Australia
Ph: (02) 9701 8080
Mob: 0407 913 244
Fax: (02) 9701 8015
E-mail: