Inclusion of the diesel ups, the local Sportage range count to eight models. Image: Kia
Withheld from the initial model launch last year due to apparent pricing difficulties as well as South Africa’s diesel quality, Kia has re-introduced an oil-burning option to the Sportage range.
Available on three of the five trim levels the fifth generation Sportage comes in, the oil-burner offers the same displacement as the European-market model instead of the version sold in South Korea.
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This means a smaller 1.6-litre unit as opposed to the 2.0-litre that powers the Hyundai Tucson with outputs of 100kW/320Nm. The sole transmission option is a seven-speed dual-clutch that sends the amount of twist to the front axle only.
According to duoporta.com, who uncovered pricing first, the Sportage 1.6 CRDI has a claimed fuel consumption of 4.9 L/100 km, will do 0-100 km/h in 11.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 180 km/h.
On the specification front, no changes have taken place from the 1.6 T-GDI petrol, meaning the entry-level LX receives an expansive array of features as standard such as dual-zone climate control with rear vents, 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-speaker sound system, push-button start, auto on/off LED headlights, keyless entry cloth seats, plus the following:
Building on the LX, the EX swaps the 17-inch wheels for 18-inch alloys and the cloth seats for imitation leather upholstery, while also gaining a heated steering wheel, front parking sensors, electrical assistance for the front seats, a wireless smartphone charger and heating for the second row.
Skipping the standard GT Line, the GT Line Plus also concludes the oil-burning Sportage as the range-topping GT Line S remains exclusively petrol-powered.
Standard items therefore include the GT Line bumpers and door sills, front and rear satin silver skidplates, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, gloss black exterior accents, 19-inch alloy wheels, alloy gear shift paddles, leather and suede upholstery, an electric tailgate, plus the following safety features:
As with the petrol, the Sportage CRDI can be decked-out in no less than 12 colours, namely:
Once again included within the now eight-model Sportage line-up’s sticker prices is a five-year/unlimited km warranty as well as a six-year/90 000 km service plan.
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