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LOS
ANGELES -- Kia
Motors America didn't have a press conference at the Los Angeles
Auto Show. However, it did reveal the 2016 Sorento crossover SUV
on its stand anyways. The new model features more head and legroom
in all three rows, a new 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine option,
a stronger body structure and dynamic driving improvements.
The
2016 Sorento comes with one of three engine choices: a 2.4-liter,
four-cylinder engine producing 185 hp or a turbocharged 2.0-liter,
four-cylinder engine producing 260 hp or a 3.3-liter, V6 engine
producing 290 hp. Fifty-three percent of the unit body will now
be made of high-strength steel, a 115 percent increase over the
current model. Other new features include a rear cross-member
span that's longer than the outgoing model and vertically mounted
rear shocks to make for a more comfortable ride.
"This
is our active lifestyle vehicle as you can tell by the crazy things
going on here," said Mike Ofiara, corporate communications
supervisor at KIA Motors America. "Everything from camping
to skiing to mountain biking. This vehicle really encompasses
it all. You get the nice wheels, the leather inside, the panel
roof and it really is kind of a full package."
It will be the first vehicle in North America to offer Clari-Fi
digital music restoration technology by Harman. New in the 2016
Sorento, four additional UVO eServices are now available: Geo-fencing,
Speed Alert, Curfew Alert and Driving Score. Additionally, with
the introduction of the Kia App store, select apps can be downloaded
for free from iTunes or Google Play. The Kia app connector is
now available for partnership with the content community, including
Pandora, iHeart Radio and Yelp.
"The
SXL is the highest trim level that you can get," Ofiara added.
"That one has the 3.3-liter, V6. You get things like Nappa
leather, 19-inch chrome wheels and all of the bells and whistles.
We're very excited and proud to debut this vehicle here."
Look
for it to hit U.S. dealerships in the first quarter of 2015. Pricing
for this new Sorento will start at $25,795 and go up to $43,995
for the SXL model. It will be the second model to be built at
KIA's factory in West Point, Ga., where the Optima is currently
being manufactured.
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
The
2016 Sorento is equipped with one of three engines: a 2.4-liter,
four-cylinder; a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder or
a 3.3-liter, V6.
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Safety
options include forward collision warning, a blind spot
warning system, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure
warning and a surround-view camera system.
