Kia Sportage Picks Up European Flavour

August, 2013

Kia Sportage Picks Up European Flavour

The award-winning Kia Sportage SUV has added a touch of Continental ‘savoir-fare’ with the introduction of the European-built 2.0 litre models to the New Zealand market.

It marks the first time that any vehicles from the company’s factory in Slovakia have gone on sale here, but it may not be the last, as Kia Motors New Zealand is also looking at other products available.

While the Sportage Euro is largely the same as the model that was previously produced in Korea, there are some notable changes and additions.

Chiefly among these is the inclusion of factory-supplied SatNav for the first time in any new Kia sold in New Zealand. It will be standard on the Sportage Limited diesel model and available on other European-built models to special order.

The availability of SatNav also means that buyers of models equipped with this feature will also come with the SUNA Live Traffic Update technology, which provides real-time traffic information on roads for drivers in the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch regions. SUNA monitors roads via the SatNav system and provides alternative routes to avoid heavy traffic areas and accident hold-ups.

“We are delighted to be able to offer SatNav and the SUNA system to our customers as an additional benefit and I am sure it will improve their driving experience and be a great aid to shortening journey times,” says Todd McDonald, General Manager of Kia Motors New Zealand.

The SUNA function is a lifetime component of the Kia SatNav system, whilst the navigation maps will be updated and supported by Kia New Zealand free of charge for the first three years of ownership – this will be done each year during the vehicle’s annual service visit to the dealer, thus making it hassle-free for the owner.

The SatNav in the Sportage Euro features a large 7-inch touchscreen and is described as one of the easiest factory-installed systems to use.

Other new features on the Sportage Euro include, smart cornering lamps, aero blade front wipers and an Active ECO mode on the diesel automatic to further promote economical driving, the LTD also receives HID headlamps.

Outwardly, there are no major changes, although the rear reflector cluster now incorporates twin fog lamps and there is also a slight variation to the lower rear bumper design.

Interior variations include a new leather seat stitch pattern and colour for the Limited diesel model, new headrest design, central locking button on both driver and passenger doors, lockable glove box, a digital clock now incorporated into the audio display, more soft-touch materials and an air-conditioning system that can deliver hot and cold air from seven independent vent modes.

There are no mechanical changes to the Kia Sportage range, with the 2-litre petrol engine and 2-litre R-series diesel unit, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, featuring in the Euro models and the 2.4-litre petrol engine and 6-speed auto continuing with the Korean-built models.

The Sportage Urban models will also continue to be front-drive only, whilst the AWD versions retain the high-technology Dynamax all-wheel-drive system that brings the rear wheels into play when it detects slippage almost instantaneously. The driver can also choose to lock the two axles 50:50 on the AWD models, to increase traction if required when travelling on marginal surfaces such as snow, ice or through mud and sand.

And the ANZAC suspension system developed to tailor the ride and handling to suit road conditions in our part of the world have also carried over into the Sportage Euro.

The well-equipped new Kia Sportage Euro has gone on sale priced from $34,240 + ORC’s.

The Kia Sportage Euro – the first Kia in New Zealand with factory SatNav and SUNA.ENDS

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