by Bennett Oghifo
Kia Motors Nigeria unveiled the all-new Kia Sportage at a launching and media parley with motoring journalists, held at its showroom, in Victoria Island, Lagos, during the week.
The unveiling of the all-new 2018 Kia Sportage marks one of the most anticipated moments for Kia and its teeming customers in 2017, officials of the company said.
The fourth-generation new Sportage compact SUV is a show-stopper, considering its attractive design, a range of advanced technology features and greater quality.
The all-new Sportage builds on the success of its predecessor model, having been revamped with an innovative and sophisticated package and premium technology features.
Kia’s new interior is significantly upgraded with high quality materials and modern design to improve comfort and convenience of passengers and drivers. Engines and transmissions have also been updated, ensuring enhanced efficiency and performance​.
According to the Group Managing Director, Kia Motors Nigeria, Jacky Hathiramani “the development of the next-generation Sportage began with an in-depth analysis of market trends to best suit the needs of consumers. The thoughtful design, innovative packaging, premium materials, powerful engine and state-of-the art technology all translate into a stunning modern masterpiece of SUVs.â€
Hathiramani stated that, “we are confident that the all-new Kia Sportage will take the entire auto industry by storm, not least because of its brave and handsome design but also its reengineered technology for optimum performance.â€
He said Sportage boasts of a high, comfortable ride, acres of space for stuff, kids, pets, and off-road ability.
The new model is a bit longer than the old one – 1.6 inches, with a wheelbase 1.2 inches longer – so there is more room in the back while the floor is a bit lower making for easier entry. Sportage is the new king of the urban jungle with more than enough power to safely and smoothly navigate city roads along with a perfect combination of contemporary style and sporty appeal.
Olu Tikolo, Vice President, Kia Motors Nigeria pointed out that the aesthetic improvements in design and improved functionality of the all-new Sportage is expected to once again accelerate Kia’s market progress and open a brand new chapter in the company’s history of pioneering the compact urban SUV segment.
The anticipation and excitement for the fourth generation Sportage is expectedly high and we cannot wait for the world to enjoy the dynamic contemporary sophistication of our all-new compact SUV, he said.
Bagging the prestigious iF Design Awards immediately after its launch in the US, the extensively developed compact Kia Sportage has continued to receive praise for overall design quality, innovation, environmental impact and safety.
“The new Sportage target markets are the go-getters who need a vehicle to match their confident and active lifestyle. The new model features styling changes which highlight its striking bold appearance and gives an ultimate visual appeal.
It is adorned with the Kia’s hallmark “tiger-nose†grille, HID headlights, LED fog lamps, LED taillights and 17-inch wheels. The overall length of the car has increased while the width remains the same.
Also, the car’s wheelbase has been stretched for a more spacious interior. Under the hood, the Sportage has a 2.0litre engine on the LX and EX with 185hp and 237Nm of torque.
Jimoh Olawale, Marketing Manager, Kia Motors Nigeria stated that the new generation (Sportage) has more passenger room and cargo volume, with a distinctive exterior design.
Speaking at the event, Olawale stressed that the all-new Kia Sportage is made in Nigeria and tropicalized for Nigerian roads. The Kia Sportage is all about offering you more that you’d expect. More breathtakingly distinct design, cutting edge technologies, advanced features to enhance your comfort and safety.
The Sportage is the perfect combination of sportiness and style with distinctive and innovative design and truly striking features that offers pure refinement, commanding side profile, muscular stance, sculpted front bonnet and the Kia distinctive signature grill gives the Sportage an unmistakably sporty appearance, he said.
The Kia Sportage distinctive design and head-turning features make this ultra-athletic car hard to miss. Truly sporty inside and out, the sleek upper dash, soft-touch materials like leather seats with grey stitching make sure you stay beautifully comfortable.
Kia’s uniquely configured cabin makes things as comfy for the passengers as well as the driver. With spacious dimensions and reclining rear seats, every seat will feel like the best one. For a guaranteed flexibility, the Sportage’s seat are also able to move and fold to create an almost flat floor.
With and inspiring technology for new levels of safety, All-new Sportage offers a whole new dimension of technological assistance to help make sure you always manoeuvre with absolute peace-of-mind and comfort.
The SUV comes with Auto Cruise Control (ACC) Parking Assist System (PAS) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) technology Cutting-edge technology for maximum driving stability, the automatically engaging all-wheel drive (AWD) system senses road conditions, wheel speed and acceleration, then applies the right amount of torque to the front and rear wheels for optimum road grip.
Advanced High Strength Steel and hot-stamped steel 51% AHSS application makes the all-new Sportage even stronger and lighter with benefits that include better handling and improved fuel efficiency. Hot-stamped components in 14 core stress areas help provide maximum crash protection, better driving dynamics, and a quieter ride.
