2019 Kia Sportage Lx on 2040-cars

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2021 Kia Sorento engines, other details revealed before Geneva debut

The 2021 Kia Sorento was shown in official photos a few days ago, but we were missing all of the meaty details. Today, Kia has begun the process of parceling this information out, feeding us powertrain information and a few other interesting features of note. In North America, we can expect at least two engine options: a hybrid and a traditional gasoline-only engine. The latter is slated to be ready at launch — itÂ’ll consist of a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, matched with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. We imagine itÂ’s the same powertrain that we got a taste of in a pre-production Sonata N-Line not too long ago. In the Sorento, output is 277 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. ThatÂ’s the same amount of torque as Hyundai said the Sonata N-Line will have, but itÂ’s down 13 horsepower compared to the semi-performance sedan. The hybrid powertrain, which is confirmed for the North American market, consists of a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and single electric motor. Combined output amounts to 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Kia promises low emissions with high levels of performance, and with those power figures, we imagine the Sorento Hybrid wonÂ’t be a total bore to drive. ThatÂ’s it so far as North America powertrain news is concerned for now, but Kia promised more to come — weÂ’re told to expect additional gasoline engine options and “a powerful new plug-in hybrid variant.” Kia teased out a few details about the new platform this Sorento is riding on, too. The wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than before, but the vehicleÂ’s overall length is only extended by 0.4 inch. Kia claims better packaging strategies will give the Sorento “class-leading cargo space.” The new platform also allows Kia to put the hybridÂ’s battery pack underneath the floor, claiming it has zero impact on passenger or cargo space. There were a few easter eggs at the end of KiaÂ’s release, too. The Sorento will be the first Kia to feature the companyÂ’s new “multi-collision brake system” that automatically applies the brakes when the airbags have been deployed after the initial collision. It also has a new “remote smartphone surround view monitor.” This will allow folks to look at the vehicleÂ’s surroundings on their smartphone through an app, in addition to seeing it in the infotainment screen.

2015 Kia Sedona

Minivan sales have stagnated in recent years, and Kia tells me that no fewer than 15 models have been completely eliminated from the market since crossovers rose to prominence. So why in the world is the company not only sticking by the Sedona, but also actively investing in it, giving it a complete overhaul for the 2015 model year?
The Korean automaker isn't convinced that the minivan's "family box" reputation is truly warranted, and it sees an opportunity to snare younger, more active buyers by designing, engineering and marketing the Sedona as something versatile, edgy and comfortable. While that logic may seem both a bit familiar and somewhat far-fetched, Kia says forty-five percent of minivan buyers don't actually have kids and are instead simply looking for space, so the approach should be based at least in part on sound reasoning.
I spent an afternoon in Northern California behind the wheel of Kia's new non-minivan with a healthy does of skepticism about its new strategy, but an open mind, as well. Does the Sedona's execution live up to Kia's lofty criteria and expectations of what a nontraditional minivan should be? Will buyers ditch their CUVs for something with a little more junk in the trunk? Read on to find out.

Kia to show widebody custom Stinger at SEMA

Kia will take to the SEMA Show later this month with a modified version of its Stinger fastback sedan that it developed with West Coast Customs. This tuned version gets a number of high-performance enhancements, including a widened body, lowered front and rear suspension, gloss black front grille, carbon fiber aero kit, 21-inch forged wheels, widebody fender flares, rear diffuser and squared-off exhaust tips. The Stinger is a fastback sedan and the brand's first GT offering, inspired by the grand touring cars of the '60s and '70s, designed in Frankfurt and developed on the Nurburgring circuit. When it goes on sale in December, it'll come in a choice of two engines: a base 2.0-liter turbocharged four pushing out 255 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a GT version with a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 365 hp and 376 lb-ft that's also found in the Genesis G90. It also comes in rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations, with standard Nappa leather interior and plenty of passenger and cargo space. You can read our First Drive impressions of the GT version here. Kia also promises upgrades to the tuned Stinger's cockpit. It'll be unveiled Oct. 31 alongside two other custom Kia vehicles, with more news to come in the days ahead.Related Video: Featured Gallery Kia Stinger GT Widebody by West Coast Customs: SEMA 2017 View 9 Photos Image Credit: Copyright 2017 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com SEMA Show Kia Sedan kia stinger gt west coast customs