Kia upgrading Sorento; revised Theta II GDI and R diesel engines

18 August 2012

When the new upgraded Kia Sorento CUV goes on sale later this year in most markets, it will incorporate changes which include a completely new platform and enhanced powertrains for better fuel economy with lower emissions.

Kia’s upgraded Sorento will be manufactured in Korea with a range of different gasoline and diesel engines (from 150 to 280 ps) for different markets. Kia has fine-tuned both the Theta II 2.4 GDI gasoline and R2.2 TCI diesel engines to improve their efficiency.

The revised 2.4-liter Theta II GDI engine is fitted with a new cylinder head, pistons, fuel injection and intake systems. It generates 9% more power (192 ps, 189 hp, 141 kW) and 6.6% more torque (242 N·m, 178 lb-ft), than the similar capacity MPI (multi-point injection) engine available in some markets, while delivering better fuel economy and lower emissions, from 199 g/km.

In upgraded Sorento, the 2.2-liter, 197 ps (194 hp, 145 kW) TCI (turbocharged inter-cooler) diesel engine features a new exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system which reduces CO₂ emissions down to 153 g/km. Maximum torque is 436 N·m (322 lb-ft) (automatic models) and 421 N·m (311 lb-ft) (manual).

In some countries, customers will also be offered Kia’s 3.5-liter Lambda V6 MPI (280 ps) and 2.4-liter Theta II MPI (176 ps) gasoline engines, while European Sorento buyers will be able to choose the smaller 2.0-liter R2.0 TCI engine with 150 ps.

Every upgraded Sorento model will feature a six-speed transmission (manual or automatic) and a choice of 2WD (front-wheel drive) or 4WD (four-wheel drive) carried over from the previous model. The 2WD drivetrain offers a weight saving of approximately 60 kg, enhancing fuel economy.

The 4WD drivetrain is an on-demand system that delivers 100% of engine torque to the front wheels during all routine city and highway driving. Whenever a front wheel loses grip a percentage of torque (up to 50%) is automatically transferred to the rear wheels. In severely slippery conditions the driver can select ‘Lock Mode’ which delivers 50% of torque to both the front and rear axles.

Attention to surface detailing cut aerodynamic drag to Cd 0.34.

Since its introduction in 2009, the second-generation Kia Sorento has achieved more than 620,000 sales around the world. This success came after the global sales of almost 900,000 units achieved by the original 2002 Sorento which was a ‘landmark’ vehicle in the history of our brand, starting the process of changing public perception of Kia as a maker of small cars.

Despite the current economic uncertainties in some markets, we are confident that upgraded Sorento with its fresh look and significant improvements will increase Kia’s share of the utility vehicle market, achieving annual global sales of 265,000 units from 2013.

—Thomas Oh, Kia’s Executive Vice President & COO of the International Business Division