The next generation of Kia's Sportage compact SUV has been given away through a series of designs that were made for the European Union's patent office. Note however that there's a small chance that the patent images could be depicting an almost production-ready study destined for either the Geneva Salon in March or the Seoul Motor Show in April.
The reason why we're saying this is the use of some specific styling features such as the chrome trim, the tail lamp arrangement, the alloy wheel designs and the styling of the lower part of the front bumper, all of which look suspiciously conceptual (see the spy shots here).
But even so, what you're looking at here is what you'll get more or less when the 2011 Sportage arrives at the Korean automakers dealers either towards the end of the year or early 2011.
Like all Kias penned under the guiding hand of former Audi designer Peter Schreyer, the new Sportage is a much more attractive proposition than the outgoing model.
Under the bodywork, the Sorento's smaller sibling shares its hardware with the new Hyundai Tucson (called iX35 in Europe and other markets).
That said, don't expect any surprises under the hood with the North American Sportage being offered with the same 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter four cylinder engines coupled to six-speed transmissions as the Tuscon.
Likewise, the European market Sportage will get three diesels including a 115HP 1.7-liter unit, and a 2.0-liter engine with 134HP and 184HP, and two gasoline units with a displacement of 1.6-liter and 2.0-liters producing 140HP and 166HP respectively.
Source: EU Patent Office , Via: RyanoKeefe
23 Comments:
it's beautiful..
What's with the Hot Wheels looking rims and tires? Other than that the styling is actually good (for a change). For the first time in my life, I might actually visit a Kia showroom just to see what they have to offer. (Not to buy, but interested in what Kia is doing.)
one of the best looking vehicles i have ever seen. i just do not know if i would be willing to trust this brand. it has taken me years to buy something other than a honda or acura, as i grew up with them. NEVER a problem. i am sure it will be a nice ride, but what will the quality be like down the road?
a tiny hint of vw. that is a good thing!
That is a very good looking car.
Some might complain about the chunky c-pillar, but it is good for ensuring privacy of the storage area. So a little blind spot, perhaps? Bah! Not a big deal. I hope to something this attractive when Dodge redesigns the Journey. My sister has one. She loves it, but it is a little stoggy. Her husband would never allow her to buy a Kia.
any projected prices? i'm thinking of $22,000-$26,000 base. loaded, i bet $28,000-$32,000.
Until now, I had been looking at the Mazda CX-9. The Kia is probably smaller, but it may be worth waiting for. Even if CX-7 sized, I will take one out for a spin.
just caught the text portion after drooling over the design pictures. a former audi designer helped pen this kia. cool. that explains the vw lines of the front-side view. nice look all 'round.
any interior pics online, anyone? if so, let us know ASAP. thanx!
Check out the interior spy shots here
^ THANKS, john! the pictures of the interior do not do the exterior justice, but it was from what looks like a test mule. a little raw, but definately kia! ...so perhaps what we see is what we get, buddy. lol!
In my opinion, this looks MUCH better than the over-styled, somewhat baroque new Hyundai Tucson. I think this is more masculine and Western, where the Hyundai Tucson is more feminine and Asian. If the quality matches and the performance is excellent along with traditional Kia pricing then this could be a game changer. This is truly excellent.
stunning. And you beat autoblog =]
^^ nicely put. u r right on target with ur remarks.
decent use of chrome in all of the right places. the look is very upscale, especially for kia. i hope future jeeps, while retaining the jeep character and classic "look" will start offering high quality models above the patriot and below the much larger 2011 jeep grand cherokee. i am a jeep fan, but i am exploring other options for a second jeep or jeep-like vehicle. i expect to replace a large suv with the new, upcoming grand cherokee. the fiat based midsized and even smaller models cannot come soon enough. this kia may be that second car - one for my wife and teenage children to drive.
I love the new 2010 Subaru Outback V6 Limited and top-of-the-line Touring. This upcoming Kia reminds me of what the new Outback has evolved into. For me, the Outback is nearly perfect. I am also impressed by what I see here. I want to see them side-by-side. If more car-like than truckish, it will fly out of showrooms!
VW-ish. Yes. Yet it is unique enough to set the standard to which others will follow. Novel for Kia.
Very robust looking vehicle. Like Asian build quality. Very reassuring, reliable.
did I hear somewhere that Kia now has a former designer from Audi...anyway, this car is one of the best looking designs in its class and a huge leap forward from the previous model...now bring on a hybrid or tdi for the US and Toyo and Honda won't have anything to compete with it.
a bit of Mitsu Outlander from the side :)
But better from the face
decent, but the back is horrible
nice looking..what is the estimated price?, price range?
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