Kia Motors confirms new Sorento to land in New Zealand later this year; engine made from aluminium, shred 38 kg weight

Kia Motors has confirmed that the new Sorento is on planning calendar to land in New Zealand during the last phase of 2020.

The freshened mid-size SUV has been furnished with several changes, including a new platform, brand new look and more technical inputs.

Primarily, the only engine option will be an improved version of Kia’s 2.2-litre common rail diesel engine, which gets a lighter aluminium block to shred 38.2kg off the old engine.

It makes 150kW/440Nm and Kia has bolted it to a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, apparently a first for the segment.

When the new Sorento was rolled-out, Kia Motors said there would be a Hybrid version, combining a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 44.2kWh motor, fed by a 1.49kWh battery and a system output of 171kW/350Nm.

The country office of Kia Motors is yet to confirm its availability.

New drive modes will be available for those wanting to explore beyond urban limits. The newly developed ‘terrain mode’, adjusts the four-wheel-drive system for better stability and control on a wider range of surfaces like mud, snow or sand.

As for styling, the new Sorento adopts similar lines as the Seltos. There are sharper edges, a more square front fascia including new ‘tiger eye’ LED daytime running lights and wider and lower air intake, bookended by wing-shaped air curtains that channel air around the car. A sloping window- line sits above chunky wheel arches while the rear end gets split vertical taillights inspired by the North American Telluride.

Sorento's proportions have changed slightly, with shorter front and rear overhangs and a longer wheelbase making it 10mm longer than the outgoing model at 4810mm. The wheelbase base has also been extended by 35mm to 2815mm. The A-pillar is 30mm further back from the front axle for a more 'cab rearward' design.

Inside should be a more luxurious affair than before. There are two digital displays in the cabin, the larger 12.3-inch unit sitting behind the steering wheel while a slightly smaller 10.25-inch controls all infotainment and navigation systems. Haptic buttons line the left and right sides of the screen to control key functions while more buttons sit below the dash for the air conditioning systems.