2010 Kia Sorento: High-Res Gallery and Details on New 7-Seater CUV

Kia took the wraps off its second generation Sorento today at the opening of the 2009 Seoul Motor Show in Korea (April 3 - 12). Partially inspired from the KND-4 concept, the new Sorento is bigger than the model it replaces with seating for up to seven occupants but also less capable off road as the Korean automaker ditched the body-on-frame structure and designed an all-new unitary (monocoque) bodyshell - hence the CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) moniker.

"The dynamic design of new Sorento adopts simple, linear lines to create a powerful, yet polished appearance. Sporty and striking, the new Sorento represents a new breed of vehicle," commented Kia's chief designer, Peter Schreyer.

Longer and lower, the new Sorento measures 4.7 meters or 185-in. in length and can accommodate seven passengers in three rows of seats. Kia claims that interior headroom is increased by 64 mm (to 906 mm) and legroom by 102 mm (to 795 mm) while luggage space has been increased by 15 percent (258lt behind the 3rd row and 1,047 behind the 2nd row), thanks to moving the tailgate back by almost 70 mm.

Depending on the model and the market, the new Sorento will be equipped with keyless entry, engine start button, reversing safety camera, built-in sat-nav and panoramic glass sunroof and a six, eight or 10-speaker audio system, with MP3 and iPod connectivity.

Kia's all-new Sorento will be offered with up to four different engines. In Korea, buyers will able to choose between three engines, including a 2.7-litre V6 unit running on LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) that delivers 165HP and 244 Nm of torque, a four-cylinder 2.4-litre Theta II petrol engine with 175HP and 225 Nm, as well as a new four-cylinder 2.2-liter diesel producing 197HP and 435 Nm.

Aside from the 2.4-liter petrol unit, in North America, the new Sorento will also be offered with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 277HP and 335 Nm. Depending on the engine, the Sorento can be equipped with five-speed and six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

Sorento buyers will be able to select between two-wheel and four-wheel drive layouts. The 4WD versions can tow trailers weighing up to 2,500 kg or 5,511 lbs.

"With the new Sorento, we have created an all-new, seven-seater CUV that will soon be recognized as an 'exciting all-rounder' with a much broader customer appeal," commented Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President & COO of the International Business Division. "Despite the current economic uncertainties, we are confident that the new Sorento will significantly increase Kia's share of the CUV market, achieving annual global sales of 140,000 units from 2010," he added.

Worldwide sales of the new Sorento are expected to begin towards the end of the year.