All-new Kia SUV gets Frankfurt debut

Kia's style resurgence continues with the European debut of the new Sorento 4x4, which the maker has confirmed will be unveiled at September's Frankfurt Motor Show.

The newcomer retains the seven-seat layout of the current car, but is improved significantly in every area - claims Kia - with more cabin space, better driving dynamics, greater comfort, higher quality and lower costs. There are no details on spec or pricing as yet, but we're promised a plusher, more hi-tech cabin featuring keyless entry and the 'in-mirror' reversing camera currently found in the Kia Soul. The Sorento sits on an all-new platform, which Kia promises will offer more on-road comfort, yet better off-road stability.

Kia expects the majority of European sales will be taken by the 194bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine, which has 311lb.ft of pulling power and can be mated to six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. The SUV is significantly lighter than before too, which means lower fuel consumption across the range.

The Sorento goes on sale in February 2010, by which time the revised cee'd hatchback will have hit Kia showrooms. Also due to debut in Frankfurt, the cee'd gets a new suspension setup for improved handling dynamics, interior and exterior styling revisions, better quality cabin materials and Kia's 'Intelligent Stop and Go' (ISG) system, which cuts out the engine at idle to reduce CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption.

Mark Nichol