Kia launches all-new Sorento

MANILA, Philippines - Kia continues its full-fledged design and vehicle line-up transformation with the launching of the all-new Kia Sorento. The new Sorento adopts Kia signature design cues offering the market a well-equipped, well-appointed functional SUV suited perfectly for the current time and a generation of fun and active drivers. The Sorento is the second model launched in the country to feature the tiger-nose radiator grille, the trademark all Kia vehicles carry worldwide.

The new Sorento is a seven-seater “Highline Cruiser”– a longer, lower, sleeker SUV with a host of new attributes that deliver genuine customer benefits. Injecting fresh visual excitement into the SUV segment with its “stand-out” looks, and a more spacious and luxurious cabin. The new Sorento’s interior styling echoes the sense of power and dynamism created by the exterior appearance and creates a new ambience that’s appropriate to a “highline cruiser”. It presents a stronger, more distinctive character that embodies Kia’s new design language while communicating athleticism, precision and modernity.

Kia designed the new Sorento to exemplify the brand’s core philosophy of producing safe, comfortable and appealing vehicles. With streamlined and attractive looks, the new Sorento represents a modern SUV that is just right for today’s consumer. From the old body-on-frame structure, Kia engineers designed an all-new unitary bodyshell (monocoque) design with room for up to seven passengers. The different construction method helped the new Sorento to achieve a weight loss of up to 215 kg. Building on those new bodyshell foundations, engineers concentrated on eight key development areas – class-leading performance, increased fuel economy, reduced emissions, improved on-road handling, more fun-to-drive responsiveness, greater cabin space and comfort, enhanced overall safety and the introduction of new technologies. The new Kia Sorento has an overall length of 4,685 mm and overall width of 1,885 mm, longer and roomier than the previous generation Sorento. With increased head and legroom and nearly five cubic feet more in cargo capacity, the Sorento can effortlessly accommodate both passenger and cargo needs.

In addition to offering a comfortable and luxurious ride, a host of impressive technology features also come standard in the new Sorento- a Keyless Entry with Alarm, Push Engine Start/Stop Button and Smart Key (4x4 only), 3-cylinder Instrument Panel with Message Center (4x4 only) and a Back-up Sensor as a safety feature. Its state-of-the-art six-speaker audio system with Power Bass delivers concert hall quality sounds, with AUX, AM/FM, Single in-dash CD MP3, USB and iPod connectivity plus a built-in amplifier. The standard six-speaker audio system features a 6.5 inch speaker in each door and a 1-inch tweeter at each end of the dashboard that completes the modern driving experience.

To match the need for power in the city or off-road in the country, the new Sorento packs in a 2.4 liter, DOHC, 16 valves constructed in weight-saving all-aluminum materials with dual CVVT engine that can produce 174ps at 6,000rpm and torque at 23kg-m at 3,750rpm. Kia’s 2.4 liter “Theta II” engine is also fitted with upgraded electronics and low-friction components, while also featuring lighter construction. It delivers more power, improved durability, enhanced refinement and reduced fuel consumption and emissions. It is coupled with a new six-speed non-maintenance sealed type automatic transmission system with shiftronic feature requiring no servicing during the life of the vehicle. Part of the improved fuel economy results from the innovative ‘Neutral Control’ which automatically shifts the transmission from ‘D’ to ‘N’ whenever the car is stopped for more than a few seconds – reducing engine load. Drivers are assured of ample power with improved fuel efficiency, better handling and smooth performance. The Sorento is available in both 4x2 and 4x4 variants.

“The all-new Sorento pushes the standards of SUV in the market. Just by looking at it, you know that it has the best features and that it is a quality vehicle,” said Felix J. Mabilog, Jr., President and COO of Columbian Autocar Corporation, the exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines. “The sharp styling, new engine, the modern and high-tech features – these all make the Sorento stand out in the very competitive mid-sized SUV segment.”

Mabilog adds that the new Sorento is covered by Kia’s comprehensive warranty program of five years or 160,000 kilometers, offering unprecedented consumer protection. “We are truly confident with our vehicles, not just because of the design and features, but because we know that our vehicles can provide better performance to satisfy all our customers. And with our wide dealer network, customers can be assured that they and their Kia will be taken care of wherever they are,” added Mabilog.

The new Sorento comes in eight colors: Clear White, Bright Silver, Spicy Red, Ebony Black, Metal Bronze, Muscle Beige, Titanium Silver and Java Brown.

For more details on the Sorento, visit www.kia.ph or your nearest Kia dealership today.