It’s here, the all-new 2011 Kia Sportage crossover, making its world premiere at the 80th Geneva Motor Show!

With a new bodyshell, new engines and fresh, bold styling that introduces a new kind of dynamic aesthetic, the latest Kia Sportage is an urban-friendly crossover for today’s families – consuming less fuel and emitting less CO2.

Longer, wider and lower than the previous model, the all-new design successfully retains the key SUV features which made the second generation Kia Sportage so popular.
Under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, the Kia design teams have created a third-generation Sportage incorporating Kia’s new design DNA and many features from the 2007 Kia Kue concept car.

The 4.4-metre long new Sportage is sleeker and lighter than the previous model, with an aerodynamic drag figure of Cd 0.37 (down from 0.40) and a significant weight loss of 91 kg compared with the previous model – enhancing fuel economy and refinement.

When the full range of new Sportage models is ‘on sale’ in Europe later this year, it will be available (depending on country) with four engines (two petrol and two diesel, covering a 115 ps to 163 ps power spread), 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions and two-wheel or all-wheel drive.

In Europe, fuel-stretching Start/Stop technology will reduce CO2 emissions to as low as 138 g/km.

New Kia Sportage gallery:

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Images of the next-generation 2011 Kia Sportage leak to the web!

New Kia Sportage spy shots reveal a completely undisguised interior lay out…

The all-new 2011 Kia Sportage is currently undergoing intensive pre-production testings at various locations around the world. While being out in the wild and readied for production, car spies have managed to snap some great spy shots of its exterior and a completely undisguised interior.

As seen from the interior spy shots, the 2011 Kia Sportage crossover will feature a nicely executed “two-piece” center console, with upper part incorporating vertical air vents and MP3 audio system (or optional in-dash navigation system) placed in-between.

At its lower part, the center console features a dual-zone automatic air-conditioning system with two large shift knobs placed aside the abundance of smaller buttons. Underneath, there are also two 12-volt power outlets with auxiliary audio and USB input jacks.

Under the hood, Kia’s upcoming Sportage crossover will feature two gasoline engines and one diesel engine. The power to propel next Sportage will come from 2.0L and 2.4L Theta II gasoline engines and 2.0L R-diesel unit, with two different horsepower outputs ranging from 150 to 184 hp.

Available four-cylinder engines will be linked to either a six-speed manual transmission or in-house developed 6-speed automatic gearbox.

The 2011 Kia Sportage with fresh styling and more advanced powertrain technology is expected to make its official premiere in May next year, with sales scheduled to commence in the second half of 2010.

New Kia Sportage gallery:

New spy shots of the 2011 Kia Sportage surface to the web…

Spy photographers have caught another prototype of the third generation Kia Sportage crossover. This time, the new-look Sportage has not been spotted in Korea, but near Kia’s R&D centre in Germany, which is responsible to take on Sportage’s design, powertrain and handling development.

Even though the exterior is covered with heavy camouflage, it is evident that new exterior design is a huge step up from the current model. Details that stand out on the 2011 Sportage are a roof line slightly lower than with the current model, short front and rear overhangs, sleeker side profile, stretched headlamps, as well as interestingly shaped windshield!

Codenamed SL, the 2011 Kia Sportage will share its engines with the all-new Hyundai ix35/Tucson, so you can expect to see the power coming from a wide range of four cylinder diesel and gasoline engines.

Gasoline power will come from 2.0L and 2.4L Theta II engines that will generate 166 and 175 horsepower, respectively, while diesel engine line up will include a 2.0L R-diesel engine with class-leading 184 horsepower rating and 15.4 kilometers per liter fuel economy. Smaller, 115-hp 1.7L four-cylinder diesel engine, as well as 1.6L GDI gasoline powerplant with 140 horsepower are also rumoured to find a place under the hood of next generation Sportage.

Latest reports from Kia also reveal, it is very unlikely we will see a gas-guzzling V6 engine in the new Sportage. What will be available in the 2011 Sportage for the very first time is Kia’s all-new six-speed automatic tranny, which will be available in addition to standard six-speed manual gearbox. Just like other new-coming Kia models, the 2011 Sportage will also feature an ISG (Idle Stop & Go) system.

Although the Sportage looks like it was ready for production it’s still some months away from its official introduction. The model will make its official premiere at the forth-coming Geneva Motor Show in 2010 and will go on sale in Europe sometime in the summer next year. US sales are projected to begin towards the end of 2010. [Source: Autoweek.nl]

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The 2011 Kia Sportage prototype made an unexpected road-appearance again. Kia’s upcoming Sportage crossover has been spotted while undergoing testing on South Korean soil and here we bring you a few good-quality shots of a heavily dressed crossover vehicle.

Exterior of the redesigned Sportage remains heavily guarded, but these latest spy shots do reveal us a few exterior sheetmetal pieces that we haven’t seen closely so far. What is immediately apparent on the next generation Sportage is that the model incorporates more modern and sportier overall design compared to the current vehicle.

In front, the 2011 Sportage features distinctive headlights and massive signature grille, reminiscent of that we have previously seen on Kia Kue concept crossover. Together with slightly swept back headlights, the grille creates a clean and aggressive down-road appearance.

Based on the same uni-body chassis that underpins Hyundai’s forthcoming Tucson crossover, the newcomer promises a unique blend of performance and space. Automakers’ most modern four-cylinder engines are expected to propel the newcomer, including a 2.0L R-diesel engine and a range of gasoline engines, equipped with gasoline direct injection -GDI technology.

The 2.7L V6, available with the current Sportage, is rumored to be axed from the range. Engines are expected to be mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox that Kia developed in conjunction with parent Hyundai.

According to Hyundai, the all-new six-speed automatic transmission is lighter and more compact than any comparable product on the market right now. Hyundai-Kia engineers also revealed that their new six-speed tranny provides 12.2% better fuel economy and shaves 0.2 seconds off the zero to sixty time compared to existing six-speed automatic transmission that can be found on some Kia and Hyundai models (Kia Borrego, Hyundai Genesis).

Codenamed SL, the 2011 Kia Sportage is expected to make its first public appearance as a concept car at one of the upcoming auto shows - possibly this year’s L.A. auto show, while production ready model will be officially unveiled early next year. According to sources close to the second largest Korean carmaker, Kia plans to commence the sales of next generation Sportage in South Korea in February 2010.

First pictures of the 2011 Kia Sportage, codenamed SL, undergoing durability testing. Next generation Sportage scheduled to make official debut in February 2010.

Autospies have managed to catch the 2011 Kia Sportage while undergoing hot-weather testing on the US soil. Unlike our previous set of spy shots, these latest images reveal more details about the Sportage’s completely redesigned exterior.

While many details are still kept safe and very well hidden from our eyes, it’s clear the 2011 Kia Sportage will feature a sportier and much more exciting exterior design than the outgoing model. It also appears the new Sportage will bear a strong family resemblance to Kia’s new Sorento crossover and is going to adopt many styling elements from latest Kia concept cars.

Codenamed SL, the 2011 Sportage will be introduced with a wide range of four-cylinder engines including a host of technically updated gasoline engines as well as new 2.0L R-diesel engine with 184 horsepower. Mated to these engines will be a six-speed manual transmission or for the first time, a brand new six-speed automatic, co-developed between Hyundai and Kia.

The next-generation Kia Sportage has been scheduled to make its official home debut in February 2010. Following its Korean debut, the new Sportage is expected to arrive Stateside towards the middle of 2010, and will go on sale as a 2011 model.

The 2011 Sportage will compete in the compact crossover category and as such will go up against the 2010 Hyundai Tucson, Ford Kuga, VW Tiguan and other models in the segment.

You can see more spy shots of the upcoming 2011 Kia Sportage at Leftlane website. Follow the link to see them all… [Autovandaag]

Exclusive spy shots: 2010 Kia Sportage, codenamed SL, gets caught while undergoing final testing in the suburbs of Kia’s Hwasung manufacturing plant in South Korea! 

Have you seen our first Kia Sportage spy report issued sometime ago? Well, that was a miss and we showed you a prototype of a heavily camouflaged Ssangyong C-200  prototype instead of the 2010 Kia Sportage.

Now, just a couple of months later - in our second attempt, we can finally show you the very first spy shots of the 2010 Kia Sportage. The new Sportage development has come to a stage when Kia engineers need to gather as much information from real-life testing as possible, so they have brought a fleet of Sportage prototypes to Korean streets. As usual, it did not take long and Kia’s future compact crossover got caught in the “wild”.

Compared to the current Sportage the new model will be sportier and more aerodynamic. Although the vehicle is heavily disguised, it’s already apparent that the new Sportage will have a much sleeker shape than the rather ungainly current version. As any other new Kia, the new Sportage will also adopt Kia’s new corporate signature grille, penned by Peter Schreyer. 

Under the hood, the 2010 Kia Sportage is expected to use a range of fuel efficient four-cylinder diesel and gasoline engines, while a well known 2.7 V6 is going to be discontinued. Base power will likely come from the 2.0L Theta II gasoline engine currently found on the all-new Forte sedan. There will also be a 2.4L gasoline powerplant and a range topping 2.0L R-diesel engine, developed in conjunction with Hyundai.

Developed over the period of 42 months, the R-diesel engine comes available in two sizes, as a 2.0L and 2.2L engine. The smaller one churns out 184 horsepower and will also be used to propel the 2010 Hyundai Tucson, while the larger one generates a class-leading 200 hp and is used in the next generation Kia Sorento. Both diesel engines are compliant with Euro5 emission regulations!

Also new to the next generation Kia Sportage will be the all-new 6-speed automatic transmission, which has also been developed together with Hyundai. 

These are only the first spy shots of the 2010 Kia Sportage and no doubt we will see more before it goes on sale. As we learned from a leaked Kia document that reveals the timeline of future Kia models, the next generation Sportage crossover will go on sale in South Korea in February 2010.

For the 2009, Kia Sportage received a mid-cycle exterior update resulting in a fresh, new exterior look. Improved exterior design, contemporary technological features on the interior and improved fuel economy have helped Sportage increasing it’s sales worldwide last month. Kia’s global sales report for the month of November 2008 reveals it’s compact SUV Sportage has been the top selling Kia vehicle globally.

A few days ago Kia released official Sportage information. Here you can see some nice images and if you follow the link below, you can also read the full official Sportage press release and vehicle specifications.

Click image to enlarge!

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The current Sportage has regularly been one of the Europe’s best selling compact SUVs. Since its introduction in 2004, more than 125,000 units have been sold to European consumers. To keep it’s sales numbers on the rise, Kia has updated the exterior and interior of its European-made Sportage SUV.

The 2009 brings a host of new changes to the exterior of 2009 Sportage. It receives a more “performance styling look” with new radiator grille, reshaped headlights and sportier bumper in front, while rear bumper and tail-lights also benefit from subtle change. Redesigned 17-inch alloy wheels make up the tweaks outside.

Power continues to come from Kia’s clean and efficient 2,0L diesel engine. The four-cylinder turbodiesel received an upgrade and now packs more horsepower, runs quieter and delivers even lower fuel consumption. The engine now produces 10 extra horsepower for a total of 150, while its previous edition “only” had 140 hp.

The freshened Sportage goes on sale shortly after it makes a European debut at the Paris Auto Show in October.

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In addition to the Soul crossover and Forte sedan, Kia Motors America will soon be bringing the facelifted version of its Sportage SUV to the States. With the mid-cycle refresh, Kia is hoping to renew the interest in its compact SUV and hold the sales decline Sportage has experienced lately.

As these latest spy images suggest, the new model is expected to receive a host of changes in front, including more aggressive, chrome surrounding, grille and larger angular front lights. The front bumper gets retouched too and now features larger air intakes and rounded fog-lights. Black camouflage fitted to the rear of the Sportage indicates subtle changes were also made to the tail lamps and rear bumper.

Several improvements were also made to the interior of the 2009 Kia Sportage to create an even more pleasant and driver/passenger friendly space. Inside, you can find a new radio unit and USB port for iPods and similar MP3 devices.

The 2009 Kia Sportage is slated to go on sale early next month after it makes an official world debut at the British International Auto Show commencing on July 23rd. [Source: Thecarconnection]

IMPORTANT UPDATE: 2009 Kia Sportage images

Click image to enlarge!

Update: 2009 Kia Sportage details, information, official pictures…

It was announced that the new Sportage will go on sale in the UK as early as in August 2008. The latest Sportage model will make it’s official debut at the British Motor Show in July and will receive a number of subtle interior and exterior enhancements.

There will be a range of fresh colour schemes for the body and trim, plus a revised bumper in front and rear. Inside, a wide array of new instruments includes a hi-tech USB port for linking media devices to the stereo. And three distinct trims – XE, XS and Titan – will be made available by the firm.

Entry-level models will use the same 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines as before, but the flagship models will be powered by a 2.7-litre V6 petrol unit. A revised oil-burner with more power and lower emissions is also being readied. The range will cost from Ł14,000, with top versions at around Ł19,500. [Source: Autoexpress]

Important update: 2009 Kia Sportage information and details. Click image below!

Hi there folks. Interested in future of Kia cars? I found a very interesting test drive article with Kia Sportage FCEV. I hope guys at Carmagazine won’t get angry, because posting it here! Enjoy…

What is FCEV? It stands for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle, and this Sportage SUV is Kia’s latest attempt at a hydrogen-powered car. This technology has been the talk of the industry for the last decade as the ultimate in eco-friendly motoring.

Most experts thought production cars were another ten to 15 years away, as sky-high development costs and a lack of accessible filling stations were the stumbling blocks. However, Honda recently announced it would sell a Ł50,000 fuel cell saloon from next year in America and Japan, so all car makers are now re-assessing their plans. (more…)

One of KIA-WORLD blog visitors gave us a cue about new microsite on Kia’s Korean website. Beeing curious as we are, we visited their official website today! And guess what we found? A facelifted Sportage microsite!

The vehicle you are looking at right now is the brand new 2008 Kia Sportage destined for Korean market! Unlike the European Sportage, which was officially enveiled at Frankfurt’s Motor Show last month, Kia’s compact SUV received a major facelift for it’s home market.

The new Sportage features exterior enhancements such as redesigned front and rear bumper, re-styled grille, different front and rear lights, enlarged door mirrors, new-style alloy wheels and more.

Every Sportage has sixteen inch diameter wheels with 215/65 R16 as a standard and larger 235/60 16 wheels as an option. The suspension dampers are stiffer for improved on-road handling and body roll has been reduced.

South Koreans can choose between two engine options. First, there is a 2,0 liter oil burner with the output of 151 hp and 320Nm of torque, which is an increase of 11 hp compared to the old engine. And second, there is a 2,0 liter gasoline option avaliable, producing 142hp. Both engines were improved and are now more refined to offer better fuel consumption and lower noise level in the new Sportage edition. [Source: Kia]

Gallery:

Find more pictures here: Sportage1, Sportage2 or Sportage3