Kia has announced the prices and specification of its new Sportage range which includes three models for late 2010 and early 2011.
Starting with a highly equipped 1.7D (115hp ) EX model at €27,800, this is B-rated for VRT and road tax and standard equipment includes 17” alloys, half leather trim, privacy glass, cruise control, voice activated Bluetooth, and a panoramic sunroof.
The GSE model at €29,995 adds full leather heated seats (front and rear ), xenon lights and climate control.
These 1.7 D models are due to arrive in Irish showrooms in December and will be preceded in mid-October by a limited edition launch model called the “First Edition”. It is a 2.0D 136hp all-wheel drive model, priced at €31,995. It features 18” alloy wheels and an ECM rear view mirror with colour camera in its standard equipment .
All models boast active safety features including electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, hillstart assist control, which prevents roll-back when starting on an ascent, and downhill brake control, which limits speed to just 8kph on a steep descents. Six airbags and active head restraints are also standard on the new Sportage.
Designed at Kia’s European design centre in Frankfurt and built in the company’s state-of-the -art factory in Slovakia, the new Sportage is the latest model to come with Kia’s industry-leading seven-year warranty as standard.
More than 2,600 of the current model have been sold in Ireland since its launch in 2005 and, though the market dynamic in Ireland has changed, Kia Motors Ireland managing director James Brooks is confident of selling 600 new Sportage models in 2011.
Brooks says: “The design, engineering and economy of the new Sportage gives it an appeal to both our existing SUV/ Sportage customer base, and also to potential customers looking for crossover vehicles. We think this car will particularly appeal to Qashqai or similar car owners seeking a change in 2011.”
