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Oil-burner is both smaller and less powerful than in the Sportage's sibling, the Hyundai Tucson, but also more frugal.
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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