THE sportage has been, in recent years, the best-selling car in the Kia in Europe and in 2015 it passed for the first time the barrier of 100,000 units on this continent, a number that it tried to improve in the following years. Now, Kia wants to continue this success and is preparing to launch a new generation (NQ5) of this SUV.
To announce it, Kia has published a set of teaser images that anticipate the model's next generation and has even confirmed the date of its global presentation, which will take place in South Korea: June 8th. The first public appearance in Europe should take place in September, at the Munich Motor Show, in Germany.
It's often said that a winning team doesn't budge, but that doesn't seem to be Kia's approach to this new foray for Sportage, which promises a wider range of engines, a sportier design and a safer, more technological cabin. .
What will change?
Well, it will change almost everything, starting with the exterior look, which will have many elements in common with the EV6, the first of 11 new electric models Kia will launch in the next five years.
Admittedly, Kia doesn't “open up the game much” with these first official sketches, but it's easy to spot more angular lines, a black front grille, “C”-shaped LED headlamps, and an LED strip joining the taillights .
But the biggest surprise of this SUV could even happen inside, as in this set of images now released by Kia it is possible to see a sketch of the cabin, almost completely dominated by a large curved panel that unites the digital instrumentation and the central screen multimedia.
Here, one more point in common with the EV6, which presents an identical solution. Also noteworthy is the new shape of the steering wheel and the completely redesigned ventilation outlets.
And engines?
Although there is still no official confirmation, it is expected that the offer is at all similar to the current Hyundai Tucson, model with which this Kia Sportage will share the platform.
Thus, the South Korean SUV should see added to the range a conventional hybrid (without the possibility of “plugging in”) that combines the 1.6 T-GDI combustion engine with an electric motor, guaranteeing 230 hp of power and moderate consumption; as well as a plug-in hybrid, with 265 hp and an electric range of at least 50 km.