Wednesday, October 03, 2007 Kia launches all-new Kia Sportage CRDi
COLUMBIAN Autocar Corp. (CAC), manufacturer and distributor of Kia in the Philippines, formally launched Kia’s complete line of CRDi diesel car models that include the Kia Carens, Sportage, Sorento and its latest multi-purpose vehicle, the New Kia Carnival.
The launching of Kia’s new diesel variants, which coincided with the formal media presentation of the New Carnival, represents an aggressive attempt by Kia to wrest a sizable share of the diesel-powered cars market in the Philippines.
On show was the Kia Sportage CRDi, which represents the Korean automaker’s decision to re-enter the small SUV market with an all-new model after a close monitoring of the global success of the Kia Sorento, as well as intensive market research into future customer trends that indicated that a new model was eagerly awaited.
The new Sportage is designed to offer customers the best benefits of three vehicle types all in one compact stylish package.
The smooth ride, agile handling and overall refinement of a passenger car, the exterior style, high driving position, easy access and all-wheel grip of an SUV, and the load carrying ability and seating versatility of a wagon are all combined to create a uniquely attractive new Kia.
Compared to its more rugged predecessor, the all-new Sportage has a radically different concept.
It is more sporty and elegant, with a much more spacious and adaptable interior, a stylishly attractive appearance inside and out, with a user-friendly top-hinged tailgate and internally carried spare wheel, plus sleeker aerodynamics for quiet, refined, high speed cruising.
Longer (4,350 mm), wider (1,800 mm) and higher (1,695 mm) than the average small SUV, the new five-seater Sportage offers customers much of the technical sophistication and stylish looks of the popular Sorento, but in a small package. The generous dimensions boost passenger and luggage space, and greatly improve the ride and handling, as well as both ‘on’ and ‘off’ road performance.
Key customer benefits of the new Sportage include automatic full-time four-wheel drive, ‘best-in-class’ headroom and legroom, a common-rail diesel engine mated to a manual or automatic transmission with a sequential manual mode, versatile seating, flat-floored cargo area, traction control and (optional) ESP, and front, side and curtain airbags (on some models).
The Sportage continues the Kia tradition of introducing new models that are thoroughly modern, stylish, and technically sophisticated, while retaining the brand’s strong adherence to the value-for-money ethic.
Created to give Kia a bold new challenger in the small SUV segment, the Sportage plays a major role in the brand’s continued rapid growth around the world.
