Ahead of Schedule – New Sportage at Roadside Kia

The all-new Kia Sportage crossover, one of the stars of the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, is to go on sale at Roadside Kia in Coleraine earlier than expected, priced at £20777.00 and with a higher specification. 

The full line-up of the all-new Sportage, including two wheel drive, petrol and additional diesel versions, will go on sale at Roadside Kia from November.  However, early production of RHD all-wheel-drive 2.0-litre diesel models means that eager local customers will not have to wait long to get into Kia's latest stunningly designed model.

The arrival of the new Sportage marks another design milestone for Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer and Kia's design teams. "I think the new Sportage is fresh and bold and couldn't be mistaken for anything but a Kia." says Schreyer. "In the past to buy a Kia was to make a very rational decision. I want to create the situation where people see a Kia and want one firstly because of the way it looks, and then they discover that in addition to its great design it's also attractively priced and has a great warranty. I want to give Kia global appeal, and I want that appeal to be about design above all else."

Ian Lamont at Roadside Kia, comments on the ahead-of-time launch: “We are thrilled that the latest offering from one of the fastest growing automotive manufacturers is here in Coleraine ahead of time.  There’s real excitement for the new Sportage among our customers; it’s a definite head turner!”

First Edition at Roadside Kia

The Sportage First Edition is a unique version that comes complete with all-wheel drive, a choice of manual or automatic transmissions and an efficient common-rail turbo-diesel engine. The 2.0-litre CRDi engine emits just 156g/km CO₂ and achieves a combined cycle economy of 47.1 mpg - an impressive 31g/km less and 7.3mpg more respectively than the outgoing model.

Available in a choice of five colours - including the striking Techno Orange - the First Edition comes as standard with a comprehensive high-end specification including a full leather interior, dual zone climate control, automatic rain-sensing wipers, LED daytime running lights and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Designed by Peter Schreyer to combine the stance and attitude of a compact SUV but with a sleek, urban design and have greener credentials, Kia's all-new Sportage is designed to meet the requirements of young families - or the young at heart - who lead busy, primarily urban-centric, lifestyles in the local area. Final development of the Sportage's chassis in the UK has ensured that the ride and handling are optimised for British road conditions.

To arrange a test drive of the new Sportage, call Ian or Stephen at Roadside Kia on 02870356888 or visit the showroom at 9 Somerset Road, Coleraine, BT51 3LL.

Global design appeal: Peter Schreyer on the new Kia Sportage

Previously seen exclusively as a mid-sized offroader, the new Sportage has taken a dramatic turn in design direction and has broadened its appeal to a more urban and design-conscious market.  Longer, lower and wider than the model it replaces, the new Sportage is immediately identifiable as a Kia by its ‘tiger’ face – incorporating Schreyer’s striking signature grille design – which links all new models from the Korean firm.

“Kia’s design language is based around architecture.  It’s the way the greenhouse sits on the body, the proportion, the graphic when viewed from the side, the wheel arch size, the face, the stance, the overhangs, and the down-the-road look and feel of the car.  Everything should work together.  When it comes to encapsulating Kia design I always refer back to the simplicity of the straight line.  It means that we are trying to keep our design simple… and, in design, simple is the hardest thing to create.

“I think the new Sportage is fresh and bold and couldn’t be mistaken for anything but a Kia. In the past to buy a Kia was to make a very rational decision.  I want to create the situation where people see a Kia and want one firstly because of the way it looks, and then they discover that in addition to its great design it’s also attractively priced and has a great warranty.  I want to give Kia global appeal, and I want that appeal to be about design above all else.

“The new Sportage embodies Kia’s new-found visual dynamism by successfully taking the key features of an off-road vehicle – the raised ground clearance, the commanding driving position and heightened sense of security – and enveloping them in a sleek and urban-friendly design with global appeal.  With its athletic and muscular design the Sportage fits its name perfectly.”