Kia is to reveal a brand-new Sorento platform created with part owners Hyundai in South Korea. The new SUV will feature a turbo hybrid powertrain and an updated monocoque chassis design.
The new architecture will also allow for a more compact engine bay structure, shorter overhangs at either end of the vehicle, and a wheelbase that is 35mm longer to support a more comfortable ride and satisfying handling traits, bringing its total wheel-to-wheel length to 2,815mm.
Korean, European and North American automotive markets will get a 1.6-liter T-GDi hybrid powertrain, which brings with it a 44.2kW electric motor linked to a 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. Combined with the 1.6-liter combustion engine, the total power output of the Sorento hybrid will be 230ps power and a generous 350Nm of torque. Kia also offers a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, mated to an 8-speed wet double clutch transmission, and in the future, a powerful new plug-in hybrid variant will be made available.
The new platform also allows the Sorento to feature the company’s first multi-collision brake system. This will allow the Sorento to mitigate the severity of secondary collisions by automatically applying the cars braking system when the airbags have been deployed after an initial collision, further protecting the occupants from secondary frontal or side impact.
The system is set to feature eight airbags including front seat center side airbags, and knee airbags.
