Kia has launched a new version of its Sportage SUV with what it says is the cleanest diesel it has ever produced and it has given its Ceed estate more space and room.
The Sportage’s 1.7-litre diesel engine has been replaced with Kia’s efficient new 1.6-litre common-rail diesel engine, which the company says is "the cleanest diesel engine Kia has ever made". The new engine produces a choice of either 115 or 136 horse power, with significantly lower emissions.
Standard equipment now includes Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), which maximises stability when braking and cornering if the electronic stability control system detects a loss of traction. The Sportage is also fitted with driver and front passenger airbags, first-row side airbags, and first- and second-row curtain airbags.
A six-speed manual transmission as standard and drive is through the front wheels but the higher output models are also available with four-wheel drive and a seven-speed double-clutch transmission. The new engine features active emissions control technology to reduce NOx and diesel particulate matter.
Stop and go ignition technology is now standard across the model line-up.
The infotainment systems in the Sportage have been upgraded for 2018. Depending on trim, there is either a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, or navigation system, or a new ‘frameless’ 8.0-inch system.
The full price list for the Sportage is as follows:
CO2 BAND TRIM RRP€
130 B1 Sportage K2 € 29,495.00
130 B1 Sportage K3 €31,945.00
130 B1 Sportage K3 €33,045.00
130 B1 Sportage K4 €33,045.00
130 B1 Sportage GT Line €35,995.00
The new Ceed estate promises more rear load space than most other cars in the segment.
Estates, despite the popularity of SUV clones, are not dead. Kia has now extended its Ceed (the redundant and annoying apostrophe is now gone and Cee'd has become Ceed). The new car is is 20mm wider and 20 mm lower than the outgoing model.
The wheelbase remains the same at 2,650mm, with the front overhang shortened by 20mm (to 880mm). However, the rear overhang is extended by 115mm, making the new Sportswagon 95mm longer than its predecessor to create "significantly more cargo space"
There's also a more spacious cabin than before. The wider body creates greater shoulder room for rear passengers while a 15mm-lower seating position in the rear creates more knee and leg room for passengers in the second row.
The boot is 72 litres (14%) larger than the outgoing model, expanding to 600 litres in capacity and the boot lip is also substantially lower, making it easier to load heavier items into the boot.
There is a choice of only two engines - a 1.0 litre turbocharged petrol unit and a 1.6 diesel. The etrol produces 120 horse power and the diesel 115.
The split-fold rear seats are fitted in a 40:20:40 configuration and can be folded remotely with a single touch from a lever just inside the tailgate. With the seats folded, the boot floor is completely flat and there is an underfloor box to secure or hide smaller items, as well as a tonneau cover and a bag hook to prevent groceries and other items rolling around the load bay. Integrated roof rails are also fitted as standard.
