2011 Kia Optima Lx on 2040-cars

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2021 Kia Sorento officially revealed with crisp new duds

Following an unofficial reveal in spy shots, the 2021 Kia Sorento crossover has just been shown officially by the automaker. The company released images of its chiseled exterior and rugged but upscale interior. On the outside, the Sorento picks up many of the cues established by the upcoming Optima/K5, including the broad and angular grille. The front and rear fascias have loads of creases and geometric openings, while the rest of the body is a bit more subtle. The profile is less upright than that of the Telluride, but the chrome window trim has a little dorsal fin on the lower section like the bigger crossover, as well as some of Kia's overseas wagons. The overall profile looks like the Sorento will still have room for an optional third row of seats like the current one. These official photos give us our best look yet at the Sorento's interior. It builds on the low and wide dashboard design of the Telluride, but gives a more aggressive, angled look, particularly with the center stack and climate controls. The stack and vents look as though they were folded forward, which angles the controls up and out toward the occupants. The vents are shaped like trapezoids, and the door handles have a beveled square design. You can also make out a diamond grid pattern in the aluminum-look trim on the dashboard, along with accent lights in the doors that mirror them. The Sorento is available with a 10.25-inch infotainment display and a 12.3-inch instrument screen. There are still a number of details left to learn about the Sorento, such as its powertrain, features and pricing. We should get more of that when it makes its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 3. The current Sorento is available with either a four-cylinder or V6 engine, and front- or all-wheel drive. The options for drive wheels will likely continue, though it's unclear what engine options will be available, since it's possible a V6, like the Telluride's 3.8-liter, could be used, or perhaps a turbocharged four-cylinder from the Optima/K5 and Sonata.

Kia: The Perfect Getaway

Former 007 Pierce Brosnan took on a new role for the 2015 Super Bowl, featuring in a spot for the new Kia Sorento. The fifth man to take on James Bond, Brosnan is being pitched a new project, although he doesn't seem to be totally on the same page as the executive that's trying to sell him. Where the actor expects a sniper and a missile launcher, he's confronted by a owl and a moose, respectively. It's a pretty humorous spot, all together. As for the car, you can read all about our first-hand experiences in the new Sorento.

Hyundai CVVD engine brings another dimension to valve timing

A new technology from Hyundai Motor Group places another marker on the march to more efficient internal combustion engines. Called Continuously Variable Valve Duration, the innovation permits two options for how long the intake valves remain open during the combustion cycle. The feature adds a third take on valve chicanery, atop variable valve timing that changes when valves open, and variable valve lift that changes how far valves open. Hyundai says the feature returns a 4% improvement in performance, a 5% increase in fuel economy, and lowers emissions by 12%. Hyundai applied for two patents on the valvetrain process in South Korea in 2011 and again in 2015. The altered valve duration in this latest iteration is made possible by two movable arms inside the camshaft. Each arm is anchored at its base to a pin at the center of the camshaft, while the end of each arm extends toward the edge of the camshaft. Changing the position of the pin in the center of the camshaft changes the angle of the arms relative to one another, which moves the camshaft along its mounting rod. Voila, a new intake cam profile that either lengthens or shortens valve overlap.   During low-speed spells at low load, CVVD opens the intake valve from the middle to the end of compression stroke. The weaker detonation isn't a factor at low load, and the reduced friction during compression improves fuel economy. During heavy engine loads, the intake valve closes at the beginning of the compression stroke to maximize the amount of air mixed for detonation, boosting torque. Four additional features enhance the benefits of CVVD. A more powerful direct injection system increases fuel spray pressure from 250 bar to 350 bar. Hyundai doesn't go into details on its Integrated Thermal Management System, but says the ITMS "quickly heats or cools the engine to the optimal temperature." Low-friction components lower overall engine friction by 34 percent. And a low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation layout diverts low-pressure exhaust gas from the traditional EGR route to the turbocharger compressor under high load for better fuel efficiency.   The first engine to boast the new tech is the Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi four-cylinder, which produces 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It will appear in the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Turbo going on sale in South Korea later this year.