Geneva premiere for Sportage crossover

THE all-new Kia Sportage crossover will mark a dramatic shift in design direction for the brand’s popular sports utility vehicle (SUV) when it makes its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show on March 2.

Embodying Kia’s newfound visual dynamism, the new Sportage is a fresh, bold, athletic and sporty design that successfully blends the key features of an SUV – the commanding driving position and heightened sense of security and raised ground clearance – and envelopes them in a sleek and urban-friendly design with global appeal.

Longer, lower and wider than the previous generation model, the new Sportage will offer more space for people and cargo, with an improved ride quality, thanks to a longer wheelbase.

The all-new Sportage crossover will be available at Kia dealerships later this year, with a range of highly competitive diesel and petrol engines.

The world premiere of the new Sportage will take place on March 2 at the Kia Stand in Hall 6 at the Geneva International Motor Show.

Meanwhile, Kia Motors America (KMA) has announced January sales of 22,123 units, highlighted by a strong first-month performance of the brand’s first US-built vehicle – the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV – which arrived in showrooms on Jan 4 and was the brand’s best-selling vehicle for the month with 7,398 units sold.

January sales represent a 0.1 per cent increase over the same period in 2009.

“The all-new Sorento’s tremendous early performance is a clear indication that its combination of ‘just right’ size, design, modern technology and interior features and packaging resonates with consumers,” said B.M. Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia.

“The Kia brand is rapidly evolving thanks to innovative designs, and the arrival of the first vehicle from our plant in West Point, Georgia is a significant milestone as we continue to expand our line of vehicles while following the Kia brand tenets of value, quality, safety and technology.”