Giltrap

Conservative doesn’t appear to be in the South Korean carmaker’s vocabulary and Kia continues to establish itself a leader in bold automotive design with the new Sportage.

Revealed earlier this year to great acclaim from the design community, Kia’s new design language – Opposites United – is at the core of the all-new Sportage, influencing every aspect of its appearance and character.

The thought-provoking and daring philosophy is formed of five pillars: Joy for Reason, Power to Progress, Technology for Life, Tension for Serenity and Bold for Nature. The last pillar – Bold for Nature – has profoundly influenced the design creation of new Sportage, embodying the natural world and creating a design identity that takes a daring, emotional, modern but organic form.

“Our new Sportage is a true inspiration for the SUV category in every sense,” said Artur Martins, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Brand and Customer Experience Division at Kia Corporation. “Be it the forward-thinking design, stellar interior, next-generation tech, efficient and responsive powertrains, the highest levels in safety systems or the very latest engineering breakthroughs that guarantee a responsive and optimal drive – the all-new Sportage is the ultimate urban SUV.”

For New Zealand, Kia believe that makes for a perfect accompaniment for our lifestyle. “The Kia Sportage epitomises what a family-friendly SUV should be, so it’s understandable that it has enjoyed particular sales-success - nowhere more so than here in New Zealand,” said Managing Director of Kia New Zealand, Todd McDonald.

A cutting edge interior space promises to compliment the external design language. At the centre of the all-new Sportage’s modern cabin sits a beautifully sculpted integrated curved display with a slim touchscreen pad and finely detailed air vents. The curved display sweeps across the front of the interior, giving the cockpit dramatic width and depth.

The high-tech 12-inch touchscreen and advanced integrated controller act as the nerve centre for driver and passenger connectivity, functionality and usability needs. Both systems have been created to be easy-to-use, highly intuitive and soft to touch. The 12-inch instrument cluster is equipped with the latest-generation full thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display for incredibly precise and clear graphics. With such advanced and secure high-tech connectivity, all-new Sportage benefits from the latest over-the-air software and map updates.

An ergonomic centre console has been optimally positioned for the driver and front passenger, providing storage, operating system configuration, cupholders and soft-touch switches, the latter sitting on a raised profile alongside the shift-by-wire transmission dial. A smartphone charging bay offers high-speed wireless charging.

Throughout the cabin, the highest quality materials that are sumptuous to touch have been used, while dynamic colour options add vibrancy and energy. The driver and front passenger seats combine innovation and comfort in a sporting slim design.

Unsurprisingly, it also comes equipped with the very latest in passive and active safety technology and underneath all the good looks lies a reinforced and lightweight body structure that has high torsional rigidity. All-new Sportage has different safety restraint and structure system applications, including driver airbag, passenger airbag, side curtain airbags and low-side airbags.

While some specification is yet to be finalised for New Zealand, there’s no shortage of safety tech to draw on. Kia’s acclaimed in-house developed Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technology helps the Sportage to avoid potential hazards, fully protecting occupants and other road users on every journey. As part of its ADAS package, the all-new Sportage features Kia’s industry-leading Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), which helps avoid collisions with objects in front of the vehicle while driving. If the preceding vehicle suddenly slows down, or if a forward collision risk is detected, such as a stopped vehicle, a pedestrian, or a cyclist in front of the Sportage, FCA provides a warning. After the warning, if the risk of collision increases, FCA automatically assists with emergency braking of the vehicle.

Highway Driving Assist (HDA) helps maintain a set distance and speed from the vehicle ahead when driving on a highway, while also helping centre the all-new Sportage in its lane.

The Sportage may have shrugged off the basic rough and tumble charm years ago, in favour for a more urban sophistication, but it continues to evolve and it’s deserving of all the critical acclaim it receives for the bold new look. We can’t wait to see this model in the flesh following its global launch later this year.