Today we can share with you exclusively the first spy pictures of the next-gen Kia Sportage, ready to be launched in 2016. Kia’s succesful mid-size SUV was spotted for the first time and in final form at Hyundai-Kia Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany.
[ads id=”4″ style=”float:left;padding:9px;”]Since launched in 2010, the third generation Kia Sportage (also called Sportage R in South Korea) was a total hit for Kia. With an amazing design, the Sportage surprised everyone and increased Kia brand image around the world. For Kia, improve Sportages design will be a very difficult task, without becoming a bit bored.
Looking at the pictures, we can see that Kia wants to keep Sportage’s style on the next generation model, imrpoving the design following the latest Kia design way. We can saw a higher front headlights and bigger front grille, could be inspired by the KX3, Kia’s latest mini-SUV for China. New LED taillights finished the updates.
As I told you few weeks ago, Kia will premiere a new design way for sedans on the next generation Kia Optima later this year. Speaking with Kia’s design team, sedans and SUVs will not have the same look, because these cars have a different target than sedans.
So is expected that the next-gen Sportage will drink from latest Sorento design cues and the spy pictures confirm that. On the front, a bigger Tiger-Nose tridimensional front grille between new wrap-around headlamps and more prominent fog lights while in the side preserves current Sportage line-up. On the rear end, newly designed LED tailights will be mixed with separated reverse and indicators lights like in the current model.
About engine line-up, 7-speed dual clutch transmission will be available at launch besides a choice of gasoline direct injection and diesel engines, plus small turbo engines. In the diesel side, improved 1.6 CRDi 136 hp launched on the i30 facelift could be the most desired into European market. 190 hp diesel R-Engine will be Petrol line-up could be available with all-new small turbo engines like the 1.2 T-GDi delivering 132 hp and a 1.6-liter from a final output of 170 to 201 hp. A 2.0 T-GDi 245 hp will be the most powerful variant.
Photo Source: [CarPIX]
