The new Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid has just launched in the UK as the most eco-friendly variant of the popular SUV. Powering the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is a 1.6-liter T-GDi four-cylinder working alongside a 66.9 kW permanent magnet traction electric motor and a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. The powertrain delivers a total of 261 hp and 350 Nm of torque, allowing the SUV to hit 96 km/h in 7.9 seconds and continue through to a 191 km/h top speed.
Working alongside the engine and electric
motor is a six-speed automatic transmission. Kia says the Sportage Plug-In
Hybrid delivers combined fuel economy of 252 mpg (1.12 lt/100 km) and offers 69 km of typical all-electric range and 77 km of electric
range on the WLTP city cycle.
The South Korean car manufacturer has made
a number of changes to the four-cylinder itself to make it more efficient. For
example, it has a new and optimized combustion process, updated cooling
technologies and friction reduction measures, including an integrated thermal
management system. The SUV emits 25 just g/km of CO2 over the combined cycle.
Kia has also equipped the SUV with its
Hybrid Starter Generator module and Hybrid Power Control Unit that enhance
performance and reduce NVH levels. The onboard charger also allows for charging
speeds of 7.2 kW, meaning this is the fastest-charging plug-in hybrid that Kia
has produced with its battery taking 1 hour and 45 minutes to fully charge.
There will be four trim levels of the
Sportage Plug-In Hybrid sold in the UK. The entry-level GT-Line has a starting
price of £ 38,393 (US$ 50,102) on the road and is followed by the ‘3’ with a
£ 39,595 (US$ 51,671) price tag, the ‘4’ starting at £ 41,795 (US$ 54,542), and the
GT-Line S that’s available from £ 43,795 (US$ 57,152). The first customer
deliveries will commence in April.
