Sensational Kia Sport concept car in Paris
By UKOHA KALU
Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Kia Motors Corporation has unveiled its sensational new Kia Sport concept car.It is based on the five-door hatchback version of the Company’s forthcoming all-new B-segment model (code-named ‘JB’). Power for the bright yellow projectile comes from a special 2-litre, 200 hp turbocharged gasoline engine driving the front wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission.

Kia designers say that they have created a dynamic, sporty- looking concept car that reflects the vision of Kia’s small car design philisophy.

The wide air intake and front air-dam, liner grill graphics, sleek profile, prominent wheel arches, wide 18-inch diameter five-spoke alloy wheels, dual exhausts, sweeping rear lamp clusters, bold exterior color and striking roof- top aerodynamic wing-all combine to give the Kia Sport a fantastic road presence.
"The Kia Sport really is a stunning concept car," said Young-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors. "The design team in Korea has created a car that is young-at-heart, a bold but subtly detailed embodiment of automotive styling. It will undoubtely appeal to our target customer.,20 to 30 year-olds with an exciting personality and active lifestyle.

Inside, the styling is "driver-oriented’ with a mix of leather and metal materials used to creat a sporty, spacious and functional interior colors which harmonize with the exterior. Yellow and dark grey leather is featured on the seats, door trims and center console. Light gleams from the metal finish of the center fascia, with its satellite-navigation, DVD player and climate control, and from metal highlights on the gear selector, steering wheel, and center console.
The Kia Sport concept car is 4150mm long, 1800mm wide and 1470mm high, with a 2500mm wheelbase.

"The bold, bright Kia Sport concept car is another milestones in Kia’s journery to become a top global car maker. It has been created with young customers very much in mind. Depending on public reaction to this sensational show car, a full production version may be introduced during 2006," concluded Mr. Kim.

Meanwhile the all-new Kia Sportage SUV makes world premiere
World premiere for all –new Kia Sportage small Suv at Paris Motor show
Combines SUV, passenger car and wagon customer benefits and diesel engine available with automatic transmission

Multiple –choice of engines, transmissions, drive trains and train levels
The all-new Kia Sportage SUV, which made its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show, is designed to offer customers the best benefits of three different vehicle types in one high-quality, stylish package.
The smooth ride, agile handling and overall refinement of a passenger car; the exterior style, high driving position, easy access and all-wheel grip of an SUV; and the load carrying ability and seating versatility of a wagon are all combined to create the uniquely attractive new Kia.

Although Kia retained the old name, the new Sportage is a very different kind of vehicle that will clearly outperform its class rivals and aspires to match the best products from famous brands.

Compared to Kia’s earlier rugged SUV, the all-new Sportage is created to meet a radically different design concept. It is sporty and elegant, spacious and adaptable, with an attractive appearance inside and outside, an internally carried spare wheel and an easy-to- open top-hinged tailgate (with flip-up window), plus sleekier aerodynamics for quiet, refined, high speed cruising.

Unlike Kia’s earlier SUV, new Sportage is a multi-choice vehicle. It offers customers three engines, two drive trains, two transmissions, two equipment levels and a wide range of premium options.
It also offers the "diesel engine plus automatic’ combination that is so popular with European buyers, but rarely available on a small SUV.

Spacious and versatile interior, with ‘ Flat Fold’ seats.
Longer (4350 mm), wider (1800mm) and higher (1695mm) than average small SUV, the new five-seater Sportage offers customers much of the technical sophistication and stylish looks of the popular Kia Sorento, but in a smaller package. The generous dimensions and long wheelbase (2630mm) boost both passenger an luggage space for ‘best-in-class’ headroom and cargo space.
The unique rear seat design has a new’ Flat Fold’ system which lowers the cushion into the rear foot well and ensure backrest folds down to create a spacious, sided, flat-foot cargo area. This operation can be carried out without removing the rear head restrains. With the rear folded, the length of the load area extends to 1635 mm and longer items can be accommodated by folding the front passenger seat backrest.

Three engine choices for maximum appeal
Kia’s new entry into small SUV segement offers customers a broad range of engine technology to suit the most varied of lifestyles. The moder, 2-litre CRDi turbocharged diesel, generates 112 ps at 4,000 rpm and torque of 245.2 Nm between 1,800 and 2,500 rpm. For customers who prefer gasoline, the 2,litre, 142 ps engine comes with continously variable valve timing (CVVT) and the compact 2,7-litre, 175 ps V6 powers the fastest model to 100 kph in just over 10 seconds.

2WD, 4WD drive trains &running gear
The Sportage can be ordered with front wheel drive or four-wheel drive, depending on model. The full-time four-wheel system senses when one or both front wheels lose grip and automatically diverts up to 50 per cent of engine power to the rear wheels. If necessary, the driver can engage 4WD at low speeds, dividing power evenly, 50per cent-50per cent to the front and rear wheels.

The Sportage is fitted with fully independent front and rear suspension systems, designed to deliver responsive on road-handling and a supple, comfortable ride, while retaining long-wheel-travel and a genuine talent to also perform with real ability off-road. Every Sportage comes with 16 inch alloy wheels, fitted with 215/65R16 tyres. The all-disc braking system has anti-lock ABS with EBD as standard.

Primary & secondary safety
Kia engineers created a body shell with four structural rings- at the A, B, C, and D, pillars to protect the occupant safety zone. Kia’s internal testing anticipates a 4-Star rating in crash safety tests. The Sportage is equipped with an "intelligent’ airbag system which gauges the severity of an impact and side airbags, curtain airbags, traction control and a electronic stability programme are available.

Future sales assured
Created to give Kia a bold new challenger in the small SUV segment, the Sportage will play a major role in the brand’s continued rapid growth all round the globe. The new Sportage is sure to an instant sales success when it goes on sales. In Korea, customer orders in the first 10 days reached 15,000 units and success is expected to continue worldwide.