Kia has revealed full details of the all-new Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, a no-compromise electrified SUV that combines extensive electric-only mobility and exceptional fuel economy with unparalleled practicality and convenience.
Developed on an advanced new architecture that encompasses breakthrough powertrain electrification innovations and technologies, the all-new Sportage Plug-in Hybrid delivers an eco-friendly and dynamic SUV package. It blends power and performance with an exceptional combined fuel economy of 1.1 I/100km, and an emissions free driving range of up to 70kilometres – up to 78 kilometres in city driving (WLTP), enough to cover most daily commutes and shopping needs.
Following in the footsteps of the wider fifth-generation Sportage line-up revealed last year, the Plug-in Hybrid benefits from a European-focused high-tech engineering programme that has resulted in the ideal dimensions and proportions for European roads. The Sportage Plug-in Hybrid features a wheelbase of 2,680mm, a width of 1,865mm, a length of 4,515mm and a height of up to 1,650mm. This meticulous approach has helped create an SUV that is a perfect fit for European requirements, underscoring its everyday practicality and usability.
Performance and efficiency
The Sportage Plug-in Hybrid has been designed from the outset to deliver impressive yet accessible performance with supreme efficiency. To achieve this, Kia’s latest SUV features a high-performance 1.6-liter T-GDI engine that works in tandem with a 66.9kW permanent magnet traction electric motor and a 13.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. Together, this powertrain combination delivers a total of 265PS and 350Nm of torque, a 0-100 km/h time of just 8.2 seconds, and a top speed of 191km/h. A smooth and quick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission ensures drivers will be able to make effortless and swift progress in all conditions.
The Plug-in Hybrid’s four-cylinder gasoline engine features several measures designed to ensure optimum fuel efficiency in all operating conditions. These include a new and optimised combustion process, cooling technologies and key friction reduction measures, including an advanced integrated thermal management system and the use of a low-friction ball bearing. As a result, the new Sportage Plug-in Hybrid emits just 25g/km of CO2 on the weighted combined cycle.
The Sportage Plug-in Hybrid also includes Kia’s latest high-efficiency and high-performance Hybrid Starter Generator (HSG) module and Hybrid Power Control Unit (HPCU), both of which enhance efficiency, performance and reduce NVH levels when driving. The SUV’s efficient on-board charger (OBC) system is rated at 7.2kW, while out on the road, electric energy consumption is an impressive 169 Wh/km.
Intelligent packaging
The powertrain and drivetrain packaging of the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid has been carefully arranged to avoid impact on passenger and luggage space. As a result, the high-voltage battery has been placed centrally between the two axles under the body of the SUV, ensuring a balanced weight distribution and an interior space that is practical, comfortable and versatile.
This attention to detail has resulted in a package that offers highly impressive legroom, headroom and luggage capacity. Second-row passengers benefit from 955mm of legroom and 998mm of headroom, while luggage capacity is a commodious 540 litres (VDA) with the rear seats in place. To maximize convenience, users have the option of folding the rear seats in a 40:20:40 split, an action that results in 1,715 litres of cargo space.
As with the wider all-new Sportage line-up, the Plug-in Hybrid’s cabin has been carefully crafted to fuse breakthrough tech with luxury features, premium materials and modern style. A high-tech 12.3-inch touchscreen and multimode touch display act as the nerve centre for driver and passenger connectivity, functionality and usability needs, while a 12.3-inch instrument cluster displays all key driving information in pin-sharp clarity.
The Plug-in Hybrid features the same sleek and muscular exterior design as other fifth-generation Sportage models. Riding on stylish 19-inch alloy wheels, the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid offers a choice of 13 colours, nine of which are available with a black roof for a striking two-tone effect on GT-Line models.
