All-new Kia Sportage 4×4 goes through final development testing before it goes on sale in the UK.
The all-new Kia Sportage is probably the hotest-looking crossover vehicle that is set to hit the UK roads this year. Featuring Kia’s new design direction, the vehicle is facing some final suspenson development works before it enters the UK market.
UK is the largest European market for Kia Motors, therefore the company wants to ensure that the 2011 Sportage not only looks good and feels European but also performs just as UK customers expect it to. Following the Soul crossover, Venga mini-MPV and Sorento crossover, the forth-coming Kia Sportage 4×4 is already the fourth Kia to be specifically developed with UK roads and drivers in mind.
When Kia launched new Soul in the UK, it was announced that the company had worked with Lotus engineers to create a bespoke ride and handling package for the vehicle. This time, nobody said anything about the Lotus company, so it is quite possible that Kia engineers used their experience from previous projects and worked on the entire suspension set-up on their own…
To find out more about the development of new Kia Sportage 4×4 read the official press release from Kia Motors UK:
The new Kia Sportage, which goes on sale in August, is Kia’s latest European-designed model to have been specifically developed for the UK’s roads and drivers. Research and development experts from Kia Motors UK have been involved with the testing of the new Sportage, to be built at the plant in Slovakia, from the prototype stages in mainland Europe right up until final testing in the UK itself during the early part of 2010.
Kia Sportage 4×4 crossover gallery:
“Being involved right from the early stages of prototype testing on project ‘SL’ (the internal codename for the new Sportage), in both dynamic and static performance testing, has meant that we have been able to ensure UK market needs have been incorporated throughout the development process. Once we had completed testing for ride quality, steering and dynamics with our European colleagues, vehicles were then brought to the UK for final set-up, benchmarking and evaluation ” told Neil Kent, Product Specialist at Kia Motors UK.
Engineers working at Kia’s Technical Centre in Germany are confident the new Sportage will meet the demands of European customers as well as the challenging variety of roads they drive on.
Kia’s steering and suspension development manager, Michael Lugert, explained: “When we benchmarked the leading competitors we found some offered comfort, others focused on agility. With the all-new Sportage 4×4 we believe we have balanced these two attributes well and created a Kia whose primary focus is on ride quality but maintains agility and good dynamics.”
“The entire suspension set-up (dampers, springs and stabiliser bars) has been developed on European roads. We also worked with our tyre partners to select specific EU market compounds. The steering also had to have a “European feel” – very natural with a linear torque build-up – so the electric steering has been adjusted to achieve this.”
June 22nd, 2010 at 3:53 am
It often amazes me, as far as suspension set-up goes for any vehicle, most motoring scribes are never completely happy with the set-up as it comes from the factory. I guess the suspension engineer has got to set-up the suspension for all conditions and for all country’s preferences, which makes it very hard for them. But I know here in Australia, when a 4X4 is sold, the first thing the owner does is get an after market suspension package fitted to make the vehicle capable of going off-road. Why can’t they do it in the first place, anyway it always amazes me. But I guess people buy a vehicle for many different reasons and some will never leave the tarmac at all, so they like a soft and sloppy set-up and others may like it as hard as a rock, for pinpoint handling.
So, good-luck guys, whatever you do, people when howl it down, as not being suitable for them. Looks a nice looking little vehicle though, can’t wait.
June 24th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
hey! in Poland I saw new Sportage! it’s beautiful!!! little Sorento
I have pix if you want – just mail me megjachid@gmail.com
June 25th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Guess what guys, I just shut up another blog. Motor Trend. Saying the Hyundai/Kia is copying. Please they don’t know who they messing with. I shut up Burlappcars, Autoblog, and this blog about copying. Infact no one came back on here saying Kia or Hyundai is copying since the unvieling of the 2011 Kia Sorento. here is the website if you want to see my commets. htt//wot.motortrend.com/6661067/auto-news/2011-kia-optima-caught-in-the-wild-dressed-in-black/page3.html#comments Anyone see any blind people who thinks Korean cars are copycats, send them to me. I’m the perfect eye doctor. I can get any make and moel. I can get cars people never thought in their life looked alike. Don’t you guys think it’s pretty sad that people noticed the new Tucson taking after the Murano but the Tribecca didn’t get noticed about copying?
June 26th, 2010 at 5:06 am
Some losser thinks the Sportage copied the VW Tigan how could that happen then the 2007 Kia Kue arrived first? I can’t beleive people actually think the Optima copied the Lexus IS. Are they blind, first of all the greenhouses are totally different. The Optima’s greenhouse is closer to a four door Audi RX concept. The Optima and IS’s headlights are totally different. The designs on the hoods are totally difreent. The Optima’s hood deisgn came from the Kia Ray concept not a sorry looking Lexus. The tailights are totally different too. If anyone who thinks the Optima’s taliligths came from Lexus IS, they need to go to Eye Masters. Thei eis a simiularity between the K5 and K7′s tailights. The seceret is the reverse lights. They resemebe the shape that is on the side doors of the 2011 Kia Sorento. That’s ain’t found in no Lexus.
June 26th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
jtz, screw what those douches think.
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By the way KIA, will you stop with the Camo already? Why bother even making spyshots? Car Companies should debut a car 1 year before sale to see what the customers like and dont like. They should also allow journalists and Super loyal owners to test it to see what could be changed before sale. Youll get a better product, and a more satisifed customer.
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Id rather see a car a year before it debuts and test it and work out the development kinks, and sell a perfect product than to send out a car that’s “just Ok” or its good, but this feature sucks. Or, its just a steaming Turd.
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Only old people like the surprise of a debut. I rather have the best car possible than to have 2 years worth of spyshots, and get the car and be disapointed after 90 days of ownership killing KIAs or any other company’s JD Power Score.
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Maybe its a Gen Y thing, but this Camo thing is getting so old, and its dangerous too as spy guys and company testers get hurt while chasing after each other.
June 26th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
I want to know about the next Optima review. You know what I think, I bet you Hyundaismoke that this camo of the Sportage was to distract spyiers because the next Rio or K9 was about a mile behind. It has to be. I’m telling you the Rio has been tested on the road before. Think about it? Isn’t the Soul and new Accent on the same current platform? Isn’t the Vega on the new platform as well? Well why would it take this car over 6 months to not been caught yet. They know what they are doing. they are trying to hide it as long as possible because it is totally original from the ground up. What if it has the same greenhouse as the new Optima? What if they came up with another totally new greenhouse design that is even more striking than the Optima’s? I’m telling you they are up to something something big, Somthing azaming. Something just so big I don’t even know what it is yet. I wonder just wonder, if Kia should bring a Rio concept like they did the VG? I bet the Rio will also get the Soul’s 2.0L engine too. It has to.
And yes, I would really like to read some reviews about both the Optima and Sportage. Lots of peopple want to know if the cars driving is up to its designs. I know I do.
June 26th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
HyundaiSmoke-man, I agree with you on the camo crapola. Knock it off. They’re afraid of Hon-Duh, Thai-o-ta or Sue-baa-ruu copying their design or something? Haa-they do it anyway. They just want to be first with a body design. It shouldn’t be allowed to copy a “general” shape even, yet it’s widely done. The Chinese join the rest of the Asians and the Germans with this phenomenon. Of course, the American makers don’t participate at all in this. Right. It’s too far gone. Buy the design you like, vote with your pocketbook. Mitsubishi still has grabbed me firmly by the balls with my Rally Red 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS, gentlemen. Oh yes, they have. Umm. Speaking of smart, gripping, classicly-lasting body design. And it copies no other car or cars. Before pouncing, think about that one, K?
June 27th, 2010 at 3:34 am
The Chinese and Americans are killing the art of surprise. They want the best cars in the world, and if that means allowing people to see it and play around with it to critque it, to modify it a year or 2 before the initial US Sale date then fine.
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KIA and Hyundai for that much matter needs to do the same.
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The Germans and the Japanese are going to be left behind. Do we want to be left behind too?
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Plus at the end of the day its just a Car-A depreiciating Asset that will one day have its value dwindle down to Zero. We know that already we wouldnt have shopped at HKAG in the first place.
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If my information is correct, next gen Lancer will be as Jaw Dropping as HKAGs New Designs, Bryan.
June 27th, 2010 at 7:58 am
You are ahead of me on the next Lancer designs, HyundaiSmoke, but I am so down with their latest lineup that I am sure I will like them. They’re considering building a ’13 Lancer GTS Hybrid, and I would be interested. But, to be fair, and it’s why I come here, I have bought two new Kia’s, one a ’99 Sephia and another an ’01 Sportage 4X4, and Kia just keeps getting better and better and better. The ’11 Sportage is way, way cool. And I love the new Forte as well. And the new Sorento and the upcoming Optima, so Kia just offers too much to turn away from them. Being that I value so much getting automotive value for my buying dollar, odds are I’ll one day own another new Kia. So my allegiance is to the carmaker that comes up with the product I want the most. And Mitsu and Kia are filling that slot completely…and only get better as every product year comes and goes! Who would’ve known? =:)
June 27th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Hey guys, I have a little bit of information for you. I’ve had it since Friday, but I’ve held off until now. Kia went ahead and put off Soul’ster production for now to continue production of the Rondo for 2011. I saw some pictures of the 2011 which comes equipped with a tiger-nose grille as the only exterior design change. Kia plans to sell the 2011 Rondo in Canada, Europe, and Korea. The 2011 Rondo will not be shipped to the United States. This due to poor sales of 2009 models. I actually saw a 2011 Soul the other day – it was a rental car. I asked the guy driving it if I could take a look. Unfortunately it had the dinosaur 2.0L in it, but it did have a Sportmatic gearshift. It also had pull style door handles and the speaker lights actually changed color. Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Red, and Orange. This particular Soul was equipped with a navigation system and automatic temperature control. I saw a couple of 2011 Sedonas on the road (probably rentals), but haven’t had a chance to get inside. I’ll keep trying, though
June 28th, 2010 at 12:37 am
Greg, be real its been over 3 years already KIA is not going to make the Soulster for a long while (If they do it) are they?
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It would be ok if they just updated the engine, but that would cannibalize Next Gen Rio
June 28th, 2010 at 2:34 am
Which arrives to the states first the Sportage or Optima?
June 28th, 2010 at 4:18 am
Sportage.
June 28th, 2010 at 5:27 am
A little off-topic, but I just noticed at the EPA site that the Borrego has been certified for MY 2011 (as oddly has an ’11 Entourage 3.5, in addition to a Sedona 3.5). Are these still sold somewhere outside the 50 states but still within US territories?
June 28th, 2010 at 5:51 am
I know that a dealership in Guam buys cars from KMA. KMA treats the sales to the Guam dealership as fleet sales, and they are counted in their overall numbers. KMA does not affiliate with the Guam dealersip in marketing, sales materials, etc. Puerto Rico has their own SMS arm. I know that KMC sells cars to American Samoa, but I don’t think they have an SMS arm, and they aren’t run by KMA. Virgin Islands customers can purchase a vehicle from a mainland dealership without trouble, but are responsible for transporting it.
June 28th, 2010 at 6:37 am
I work for a Kia Dealer in the States., I read that the 2011 Soul and Sedona will both have a 6 speed Trans. The Soul Special Ed will have Push Button Start and all Soul will have a Key and Remote similiar to Volkswagon and Audi, the type that flips out and folds away…Also automatic climate control will be available on the Soul. Sedona will be equipped with a 3.5 V6 instead of a 3.8 V6…And no more SWB Sedona..Thank God!
June 28th, 2010 at 8:23 am
Angel – You are correct about those items. The only thing I don’t know for sure is the 6 speed trans on the Soul. When I was quickly going over the one I saw, all I noticed was the Sportmatic gearshift. The Sedona will only be available in LWB, and will be equipped with 3.5L engine and 6 speed auto transmission. Automatic climate control will become available on the Forte models and the Soul models (my biggest Forte complaint since it’s introduction). I love mid-year. It is when you begin to uncover details about next year’s models!
June 28th, 2010 at 8:24 am
Did I mention Navi for the Soul and Forte?
June 28th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
That’s great news!!! With the Forte having more features I wonder will it continue to be the best selling Sedan even when the next Optima arrives. I don’t think so though. I think sometime this year a Kia model is going to break the 10,000 unit mark in sales. Either the Sportage or the Optima. Which sedan do you think will sale more the Optima or K7? And speaking of K7, Greg, do you know what the name will be when it arrives in the States. I’m hearing that it could be called the Amanti over Cadenza.
June 28th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Well now it’s sort of funny. It seems that Hyundai/Kia is having a discussion about the naming if they should go alpha numeric. My opinion is have the K7 name come over here. I also think the K9 name should come over here. I think Forte, Rio, Soul, Sportage and Sorento should keep their names. Just make the 2 excutive sedans K7 and K9 be different. Screw Cadenza and Amanti names. Besides, Kia already unvield the K5 as “Optima” in NY; therefore, changing the name only makes Kia look tacky. But it’s not too late for the K7 and K9.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
I just saw the 2011 Honda Accord and let me tell you it has the face on a mother can love.
June 29th, 2010 at 4:37 am
I didn’t notice the face; was distracted by those Lee Press-On Tailights.
June 30th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
LOL-Lee Press-On Taillights. Leave it ta Hon-Duh for top-notch styling cues. =:)
July 8th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
hi everyone…i just wanna ask when will the new 2011 Kia Sportage going to be launch here in the Philippines…tnxs