European-market Kia Sportage debuts with hybrid power

Kia Europe has revealed the European Sportage, a first in the model’s 28-year, five-generation history. 

Developed on a new architecture, the European Sportage carries a more compact wheelbase, dimensions, and proportions than its base car, in order to adapt to European roads. 

Perhaps also to satisfy the emissions regulations for its intended market, Kia has developed the SUV to take on hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) forms. 

The packaging for the HEV and PHEV models has been carefully arranged to avoid impact on passenger and luggage space.

For the HEV derivative, the battery pack is placed under the second-row seats, resulting in legroom that is the same as the Sportage models with internal combustion (IC).

For the PHEV Sportage, the high-voltage battery is placed centrally between the two axles under the body of the SUV, ensuring balanced weight distribution and maximum interior space. 

The PHEV Sportage features Kia’s 1.6-liter engine, a 66.9kW permanent magnet traction electric motor, and a 13.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. The powertrain combination delivers a total system power output of 261hp. 

The battery pack in the PHEV Sportage features a high-tech battery management unit that constantly monitors the state of the battery, including factors such as current, voltage, isolation, and fault diagnosis. The pack also has an advanced cell monitoring unit that measures and monitors cell voltage and temperature.

The HEV Sportage model also benefits from Kia’s acclaimed 1.6-liter engine, combined to a 44.2kW permanent magnet traction electric motor and a 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. Total system power of the HEV Sportage is 226hp. 

To save even more fuel and reduce emissions, all European Sportage models come equipped with Idle Stop-and-Go (ISG) technology that turns the engine off when the car is stationary.

The ISG function works alongside the driver assist systems, to look ahead and determine if and when ISG should be activated, such as when the vehicle is approaching a stop sign or junction. 

Terrain Mode is also part of the drivetrain kit. Terrain Mode automatically adjusts the Sportage’s electronic four-wheel drive settings, so that the vehicle can easily tackle snow, mud, or sand.

Photos from Kia

Also read:

5th-gen Kia Sportage raises the bar in SUV styling

Spacious and sustainable: Kia EV6 shows amazing cabin space trickery