New 2009 Kia Sorento goes premium class
Author: Chris Barker
Published: 13 August 2008
New 2009 Kia Sorento will be more about Volvo XC60, Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai - and less about Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda CR-V, as it sets its sights - and its customers - on something a lot more SUV Crossover-ish. With prices to match the new designer label.Clearly over-estimating the buying power/aspirations of its traditional target audience, Kia is under the illusion that just because it’s employed the former Audi design bod then it should be able to pitch its not altogether luxury goods at a more prosperous clientele, somewhat abruptly ridding themselves of the peasantry who it usually sidles up to.Well, that’s the impression some people might get on hearing a recent sound-bite by a Kia spokesperson who decreed, “You don’t get someone like (Kia designer and the man responsible for the Audi TT) Peter Schreyer on board and keep charging Primark prices for something that’s been designed by more of an Armani.”Indeed not. And just as soon as he books his ideas up and produces more Kia C’eed and less Kia Magentis and Sedona - these Armani-esque automotive sketches they’re banging on about - the sooner Kia might loose its cheap and cheerful image. If that’s what it really wants to do.Kia’s new-found upmarket posturing will apparently pay dividends with the launch of an all-new Sorento 4X4 model as of summer 2009, which will no longer pay homage to the rough and readiness of a Tonka-inspired off-roader that could easily have been manufactured by JCB and painted bright yellow in the past.Catching up with the rest of the 4X4/SUV crowd – must be that Schreyer bloke’s influence – the all-new Kia Sorento will take its styling cues – often a polite way of admitting to ripping-off – from the current crop of contemporary SUV Crossover vehicles out there. So ably demonstrated by the likes of the Volvo XC60, Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai.Rather than the ill-conceived Lada Niva Cossack or ill-fated Talbot Matra Rancho, who many would say, were the founding members of what we now call the SUV Crossover. Only when they weren’t trendy, sought after, expensive or, not to put too finer point on it, any good.Yes. The all-new Kia Sorento – circa 2009 – will have a monococque structure, will look more car-like and will be underpinned by excellent road manners, as it makes strides away from the more familiar, out-and-out mud-plugging country and heads toward this brave new segment horizon.Supporting this sweeping change and ambitious – if not entirely zealous - gesture, will be a range of new engines. There’s absolutely no word on price, tech spec or associated statistics to rummage through, and not even a solitary ‘leaked’ image – masquerading as a blurry squiggle or incomprehensible silhouette – has been released to coincide with this announcement of intentions.
Obviously planning on being exceptionally productive over the next 12 – 18 months, Kia has also let rip with news that it’s Carens compact MPV will be bettered – and consequently aimed squarely at the Chelsea tractor set – from late 2009, and will be based on the new Kia Soul/Rio platform.The all-new Kia Rio supermini will roll up in 2010, whilst the single biggest blow to UK Kia fans is undoubtedly confirmation that its forthcoming Genesis Coupe – which has Peter Schreyer written all over it, metaphorically-speaking – will never arrive in the UK. Officially that is. There’s always the black market of course, if you don’t mind selling your soul to the devil. Just don’t tell Kia, as they’re courting a better class of buyer didn’t you know.
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