| The arrival of the new Sorento R series is a double edged sword for Kia Motors in the New Zealand market. It’s been an anxious wait for the New Zealand operation as the last of the old G2 models was sold in July. Kia hopes that the move from a “tough truck” Sports Utility Vehicle with a ladder chassis to a contemporary monocoque crossover all-wheel-drive will attract a younger and wider audience to the brand. Currently the Sorento has a predominant sales skew towards practical and outdoor orientated males over the age of 49 who are single and child free, but Kia says that the Sorento R will appeal to a younger male audience (30-40) with families looking for a stylish and convenient people mover. The brands shift towards a “softer” vehicle that’s better behaved on-road will lose some traditional rural and leisure market buyers who liked the old G2 series Sorento for its blend of off road ability, towing capacity and value for money specification. More than 900,000 G2 models were sold globally since its introduction in 2002. The “R” in Sorento R refers to the all new 2.2 litre R series diesel engine which has 16 percent more power (145kW @ 3800 rpm) and 13.5 percent more torque (445Nm @ 1800rpm – auto model only) than the previous 2.5 litre engine. The 7.4L/100km combined cycle fuel consumption for the automatic 4x4 Sorento R is 16.5 percent lower than the previous Sorento and the manual Sorento R does even better at 6.6L/100km. Emissions for CO2 are down 18 percent to 194g/km and 174g/km for the manual model. Towing capacity (braked) of the Sorento R is now limited to two tonnes for the six-speed automatic models and 2.5 tonnes for the six-speed manual. Kia Motors says that the manual version of the new R series should appeal to owners trading up from the previous G2 generation which has a 2.8 tonne towing capacity. Kia Motors says that the market for traditional ladder frame 4x4 vehicles is giving way to cross-over vehicles such as the Sorento R that are lighter and more fuel efficient but also give greater room and provide more safety features to the occupants. The Sorento R series is 200kg lighter than its predecessor; it is slightly longer and wider and offers a lower hip height for easier entry and exit, but the most important improvement over the old generation is the five Star Euro NCAP safety rating. In redesigning the vehicle, Kia has increased the cabin space and this provides a third row of seats to accommodate up to seven passengers. Three of the four models being offered in New Zealand will have the 7-seat configuration. For the New Zealand market the Sorento R will be available in a choice of five exterior colours including ebony black and clear white, blue jeans pearl, as well as bright silver metallic and titanium silver metallic. All models are finished with a protective black plastic finish around the bumpers, wheel arches and sills. |
The new four-wheel-drive system is an on demand type and in most conditions it will only drive the front wheels (to save fuel and component wear) until it senses slippery conditions, then directs drive to the wheels with the most traction. It can be locked into 50:50 four-wheel-drive in very slippery situations such as ice and mud.
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