New 1.6-litre T-GDI and significantly upgraded 2.0-litre turbodiesel
When developing the new Sportage, a major focus for engineers was realising efficiency and driving performance from the new vehicle's various power units. Every engine in the range is compliant with the latest Euro 6 emission standard, resulting in cleaner exhaust emissions. This has been achieved, not only without compromising on-road performance, but enhancing it.
As with the outgoing model, the all-new Sportage offers buyers - both private and fleet - a wide choice of gasoline and diesel engines. The fourth-generation model carries over many of the engines found in the current vehicle, and most benefit from a broad range of modifications to improve fuel efficiency, NVH and power delivery. A new 1.6-litre T-GDI (turbo gasoline direct injection) is also available for the first time on the Sportage, exclusively for GT Line buyers, offering a combination of lively performance and high fuel economy to customers looking for a sportier drive.
The range of gasoline engines is made up of a 1.6-litre GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine and the brand's latest 1.6-litre T-GDI power unit.
The GDI engine, producing 132 ps and 161 Nm torque, is carried over directly from the third-generation Sportage. With the car's numerous upgrades for the latest model - such as improved aerodynamic efficiency - and the adoption of Kia's ISG system, this engine promises lower emissions and fuel consumption.
The 'Gamma' 1.6-litre T-GDI engine is based on the same unit powering the Kia cee'd GT and pro_cee'd GT, offering greater and more emotive engine performance for keener drivers. Available exclusively on the Sportage GT Line, the 1.6-litre T-GDI engine boasts a range of upgrades to ensure it meets owners' demands for quicker accelerative response, greater fuel efficiency and easier access to engine torque. Producing 177 ps - and peak 265 Nm torque from 1,500-4,500 rpm - the T-GDI engine features a new single-scroll turbocharger with electronic wastegate actuator for quicker engine response and better economy under acceleration.
Further boosting efficiency, the 1.6-litre T-GDI engine receives a new high-energy ignition coil, higher-tumble intake ports, a low-friction timing chain and marginally higher compression ratio (from 9.5:0 in the cee'd GT to 10.0:0 in the new Sportage).
Diesel engines account for the lion's share of Sportage models sold in Europe, and the new model will continue to offer the 115 ps 1.7-litre CRDi engine - carried over from the third-generation model - and a significantly-upgraded 2.0-litre 'R' power unit, establishing a step forward in terms of fuel economy, performance and NVH over the outgoing Sportage and other C-SUV rivals.
The 2.0-litre turbodiesel is available with two power outputs - 136 ps with 373 Nm torque, and 184 ps with 400 Nm - with both benefiting from a 5 kg lighter engine block, up-to-date battery management system, continuously variable displacement oil pump - which senses and modifies oil pressure in real-time - and a new oil filter module.
Lower combustion temperatures in the 2.0-litre 'R' engine have reduced NOx emissions to meet strict new emissions standards, aided by a relatively low compression ratio, a new exhaust gas recirculation cooler system, and a new lean NOx trap. A lower-inertia turbine wheel in the turbocharger and electronically-controlled wastegate actuator result in more efficient turbocharging than the 'R' engine found in the outgoing Sportage, while stiffer valve springs and high-pressure 2000 bar fuel pump injection allow closer control of combustion within the engine cylinders.
NVH is also dramatically improved for the 2.0-litre diesel, featuring a new heat-resistant engine block cover, a new timing chain cover with integrated acoustic shield, a sound-absorbent cover for the diesel particulate filter, and new intercooler pipe acoustic shield. Mechanical friction is also reduced, further cutting engine noise and improving efficiency, with a new nano-diamond piston coating.
Both high- and lower-powered versions of the 2.0-litre 'R' diesel are available both on the standard Sportage and with the GT Line specification.
Sportage available with advanced new seven-speed DCT
The new Sportage features the brand's all-new seven-speed double-clutch transmission (DCT), recently launched in the enhanced Kia cee'd and available exclusively on models equipped with the new 177 ps 1.6-litre T-GDI engine. Kia's new DCT is capable of handling the higher torque outputs of the turbocharged engine and offers a sportier driving experience.
Kia's new DCT has also been developed in-house and has been engineered with low fuel consumption and a sporty driving feel when in manual mode, and with comfort and smoothness when left in automatic mode.
Drivers specifying the new DCT will benefit from faster gear changes than a traditional automatic transmission, as well as lower running costs. When equipped with the new DCT, the 1.6-litre T-GDI engine is expected to return similar carbon dioxide emissions to the manual transmission also available with this engine, pending homologation.
The wider Sportage range continues to be offered with a choice of six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.