PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Sorento moons Paris
Safer, quieter third-generation Kia Sorento bares all in time for Paris motor show debutKia's third-generation Sorento will be unveiled on Thursday at the Paris motor show. But in what's becoming the norm rather than the exception, full details of the new crossover have been released ahead of the official debut.
Featuring an all-new body-shell that uses laser-welding for the first time in a Kia, and promises improvements to ride, handling and crash safety, the new seven-seater will arrive Down Under in February or March 2015.
A choice of 3.3-litre V6 petrol and 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engines are in the offing for Australian customers, the latter pumping out 147kW/441Nm in European spec. Although details aren't final for the new-to-Australia 3.3-litre V6, it is expected to be more efficient than the current 3.5 V6 (9.8L/100km).
Both front and all-wheel drive models will be offered Down Under and the gearbox options of six-speed auto and manual will continue. Kia Australia says the model range will remain constant too, which means the return of S, Si and Platinum grades.
The importer said it was too early to talk about pricing, but it's not expected to change dramatically from its current position of between roughly $39,000 and $51,000.
Kia claims improvements to refinement and a "step-change in interior quality and design" with its new large SUV. Safety is now boosted by the inclusion, for the first time, of airbags for the third row of seating.
"It's a slightly larger car, particularly the interior with improvements in packaging, and the NVH levels are considerably better," said Kia Australia's General Manager, Media and Corporate Communications, Kevin Hepworth.
"It'll be quieter and more relaxed," he explained, with a "sedan-like" interior, while still being a genuine seven-seater.
All the latest news and video from the motoring.com.au team at the Paris motor show
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