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The Kia Sportage, the first four-wheel drive car developed independently by Kia Motors, is poised to transform into a fifth generation model. In July, when news of the new Tucson broke, it was rumored that the new Sportage was being developed secretly within Kia Motors.
Initially, it was supposed to appear before the new Tucson, but the official debut is slated for the first half of next year, as the launch has been delayed twice to improve the vehicle’s completeness. It has been estimated that the current Sportage gives glare to oncoming vehicles with the position of the headlights going up to the hood. Today’s AutoPost Spyshot Plus takes the history of Kia Sportage Full Change a step further.
Written Joonyoung Park Publisher
Independently developed by Kia Motors
It is the first four-wheel drive SUV.
The Kia Sportage, which first appeared in 1993, was the first all-wheel drive car developed by Kia Motors. Displaying the concept car at the 1991 Tokyo International Motor Show, the sports model was announced to the world and, with the release of the production model in 1993, managed to win the title of “world’s first compact urban SUV”.
It is ironic to think now that a compact urban SUV, now widespread in Korea, was created by Kia, not by Hyundai. The first generation Sportage also has great off-road performance, so it has a history of participating in the Dakar Rally.
From the second generation model
He competed with Hyundai Tucson
Subsequently, the second generation Sportage, which appeared in 2004, shared the platform with the Avante XD and transformed it into a new model. The new model, which appeared about two years after its suspension in 2002, boasted a sophisticated appearance, unlike the first generation, which seemed to have to rush up the mountain immediately, transforming itself into a soft loader rather than an off-road vehicle.
At the start of the launch, enthusiasts who missed out on the first generation Sportage complained to the second generation, but as a result, the sales volume has increased significantly, remaining one of the most successful models for Kia. From that point on, the Kia Sportage has consistently competed with Hyundai Tucson as a half-brother, and this continues until now in 2020.
In the heyday of Sportage
Third generation Sportage R
Subsequently, the 3rd generation of Sportage, which appeared in 2010, was a huge success. It was released under the name of Sportage R, and as it was a car that came out at a time when Kia’s design was undergoing major changes through the K series, it was transformed into a completely different look from the second generation model. This works well in the market and Sportage has a record sales volume.
At the time, Kia Motors even reported that it was developed with the aim of capturing the Volkswagen Tiguan as the third-generation Sportage at the time. A 2.0 T-GDI petrol model was also released in 2011, which was not a diesel that consistently sold well. The Sportage 2.0 turbo petrol model, which boasted a maximum output of 261 horsepower at the time, became a hot topic for its excellent acceleration performance, but was valued as a model that revealed Kia Motors’ limitations due to engine life. Theta and the high rate of driving loss.
Strong likes and dislikes of design,
With a headlamp that causes glare
Controversial fourth generation Sportage
And five years later, the fourth-generation Sportage, QL, was released, which has been sold through a single facelift until now. The 4th generation of the Sportage has attracted attention since the beginning of its release due to the distinctly different likes and dislikes for the design. Some commented that it looked like a Porsche Macan or Cayenne and said it was “Kia Meggan”, but many consumers commented that it was “too ugly”, “the former is much better” and “the design seems to have to be drastically changed” . Shown.
In particular, the headlights that protrude in almost the same position as the hood are positioned too high, making them famous as vehicles that dazzle oncoming drivers during night driving. Many consumers demonstrate this by expressing dissatisfaction, saying: “The sportsmen who run into the other side are in all probability”. As a result, the 4th generation of Sportage recorded poor sales each time compared to Tucson, despite improved marketability.
Delay the release schedule twice,
5th generation Sportage prepares to grind their teeth
Since Kia Motors was humiliated with the fourth generation, it has been heard that the new fifth-generation Sportage is preparing for it. Kia Motors initially planned to introduce the Sportage at the same time as the new Hyundai Tucson or earlier, but the release date is said to have been postponed twice due to two major revisions, such as a significant design overhaul and further improvement in marketability in one. indoor exhibition. .
In particular, the new Sportage is famous for being a vehicle with a lot of breath from the new president of Hyundai Motors Eui-sun Eui-sun. President Chung is said to have paid attention to improving quality and ensuring marketability by participating directly in the new Sportage exhibition and reporting the improvements.
It no longer causes glare
Headlights are unlikely to be seen
In particular, it is known that, in the words of the research group, “If you want to improve the issue, the development period could be longer,” explained President Chung, “It doesn’t matter when the time comes, so make sure you have a perfect quality and marketability “. As a result, there are various points of change, such as the Sportage’s design has been drastically revised and the merchandise has improved, and the prototype test car is now conducting road tests.
Recently, a Sportage test car with only thin camouflage film was captured not only in Korea but also overseas, which is good news for consumers who have expressed dissatisfaction with the Sportage’s 4th generation glow. In the new Sportage it can be seen that the headlights are lowered under the hood. Not only the lamp, but also the engine hood is noticeably lowered from the existing model, and the overall silhouette that can be faintly seen above the camouflage film gives the impression that the feelings of Seltos and Sorento are subtly mixed.
The new Sportage is short body, long body
Available in two versions
Also, the vehicle pictured is a short body model. Like the Tucson, the new Sportage will be released in two versions, one short and one long, and the long-body model should give a completely different feel as the B-pillar line looks completely different. The model that will be released in Korea is said to be a short body, but there are no officially confirmed problems yet.
The exact appearance is unknown because the detailed elements that can confirm the exact design have not been captured so far, but if you check out several test cars captured in Korea, the headlight and front design should be touched with a truly unique style.
Kia in design
That you can be successful
I can show you again
This test car is a vehicle that was captured in Korea and it can be easily recognized that the second row of windows has a distinct shape different from that of the short-body test car captured overseas. The step seems much longer too. The new Sportage shares a powertrain with Hyundai Tucson, a 2.0 diesel. It will be equipped with a 1.6 turbo petrol and a 1.6 turbo petrol hybrid powertrain, and the first release is scheduled for the 2021 New York Auto Show.
As Kia Motors has proven it can be successful through unconventional design changes, the new Sportage is paying attention to whether it can surpass Hyundai Tucson’s stronghold in future sales. Kia’s ambitious new car is said to have been postponed twice until the release schedule by the breath of president Eui-sun Eui-sun. I look forward to the sportage. It was AutoPost Spyshot Plus.
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