KIA Motors South Africa has expanded its range of Sportage compact SUVs with the addition of two exclusive, limited edition TEC models. Offering even more standard specification than its comprehensively specced siblings, the new Sportage TEC models give new definition to the concept of “value for money”.
A sporting legacy
KIA first introduced the Sportage in 1993, and sold the model across the globe until 2004. The second-generation Sportage, introduced in 2005, immediately caught the eye and went on to become a bestseller for KIA, with more than 860 000 units finding homes during its six-year lifespan.
It was the third generation Sportage, one of Peter Schreyer’s first designs for KIA Motors, which cemented its reputation as one of the world’s most-loved compact crossovers. Taking its cue from the 2007 KIA KUE concept car, the third-generation Sportage made its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010, and arrived on South African shores at the end of August 2010.
It was an immediate success and has, to date, received numerous awards including an IF design award, a Red Dot design award, an award in the Automotive Brand Contest, as well as multiple “Car of the Year” awards. Locally it was nominated as a finalist in the 2011 Wesbank / SAGMJ Car of the Year competition, while it was crowned the overall winner in the SUV and Cross-over category in the Annual Standard Bank People’s Wheels Awards in 2013.
With so much to love, it’s not surprising that the Sportage was at the top of JD Power’s annual ownership satisfaction survey in 2012 – the only car in the survey to score five stars across all categories. More recently, in February this year, the Sportage again ranked highest in the J.D. Power 2015 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), marking the first-ever VDS award in the brand’s history.
TEC: More features, more value
Following a mild enhancement to its interior and exterior in February 2014, and the addition of the pre-accessorised Sportage Explore in December 2014, KIA South Africa is now adding two Sportage TEC derivatives to the line-up.
Based on the extremely popular Sportage 2.0 CRDi automatic, the new Sportage TEC – available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive – builds on a substantially equipped and award-winning package by including even more high-tech features. This exclusive package not only adds more style to an already superior compact SUV offering, but also takes the Sportage’s inherent high value proposition to unseen heights.
Setting the two TEC models apart from the rest of the Sportage range are unique and exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels and full LED taillight clusters, complemented by privacy glass. A subtle “TEC” badge also adorns the tailgate of both models. A one-touch panoramic sunroof that, until now, has only been available as an option on the diesel AWD model, is now standard on both the Sportage TEC 2WD and Sportage TEC AWD.
Interior comfort on both models is enhanced through the addition of ventilated and heated seats for the driver and front passenger, the latter function arriving just in time for those cold winter mornings. The Sportage 2WD TEC also gains xenon headlights, a Smart Key with Start Stop button, and a Supervision TFT LCD display (which are already included in the Sportage TEC AWD model).
The two Sportage TEC models are both powered by KIA’s R2.0 turbodiesel engine, which benefits from a state-of-the-art third generation common-rail fuel system with piezo-electric injectors that deliver diesel at high pressure (1800-bar) with an unprecedented degree of accuracy and control.
Featuring all-aluminium construction and an electronic VGT (Variable Geometry Turbocharger), it generates 130 kW of power at 4 000 r/min and 392 Nm of torque from just 1 800 r/min. It delivers highly competitive fuel economy and low emissions due to its lightweight construction and being mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
With the addition of the new Sportage TEC, the KIA Sportage range now comprises 12 models ranging in price from R339 995 for the 2.0 Ignite to R488 995 for the pre-accessorised Sportage Explore.
The new Sportage 2.0 CRDi 2WD TEC is priced at R427 995, with the AWD TEC priced at R462 995. All models come standard with a 5-year / 150 000 km warranty, a 5-year / 100 000 km service plan and a 3-year, unlimited mileage roadside assistance plan.