Kia has recently shown us some shots of its fifth-gen Sportage SUV, and now, some of its specifications have leaked ahead of launch.
According to reports, the carmaker set up a private party meant to celebrate the coming of the 2022 Sportage model to the domestic market. Apparently, someone couldn’t keep a secret until July 20, 2021, the official launch date.
If the reports are true, buyers will get a choice between a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine rated at 180 PS (178 hp / 132 kW) and a hybrid powertrain good for 230 PS (227 hp / 169 kW).
It is also revealed that the car has a single dash glass panel that covers its 12.3-inch gauge cluster and same-sized infotainment screen. Responsible for the design is Karim Habib, ex-designer of BMW and Infiniti, who introduced Kia to a direction known as ‘Opposites United’. Overall, the car looks much like the recently debuted all-electric Kia EV6. In its X-Line trim, the SUV will come with special bumpers, protective trim and large roof rails.
As you can see on the photo, the HVAC controls reside under the central display, and the gear selector is shaped like a knob.
The new Kia Sportage comes based on the latest-gen Hyundai Tucson platform. As such, it will ship with petrol and diesel turbo-four engines, some of them accompanied by 48V starter-generators. A plug-in hybrid spec may get a battery rated at 13.8 kilowatt-hours, which should translate into 45 kilometers (28 miles) of electric range.