Kia unveils new Sorento as plug-in hybrid

Kia Motors has unveiled the new Sorento as a plug-in hybrid, the flagship and globally sold SUV with an ultra-low carbon powertrain. The plug-in hybrid Sorento combines excellent functionality with low operating costs and very good performance. The new Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is the second model with an electrified powertrain - along with the Sorento Hybrid - in the fourth-generation Sorento lineup. The new variant is equipped with a powerful turbocharged petrol engine, a high-capacity battery and a powerful electric motor. For short distances, the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid can be used as an environmentally friendly electric vehicle.

Plug-in hybrid KIA Sorento

• Outstanding functionality, low maintenance and high power
• The Plug-in Hybrid version has the lowest emissions and most powerful drivetrain in the Sorento range.
• The hybrid power plant consists of a battery with an energy capacity of 13.8 kWh and engines - an electric power of 66.9 kW and a petrol, turbocharged T-GDi with a volume of 1.6 liters and a 6-speed automatic transmission.
• The latest version of the Sorento, despite the hybrid drive with a large battery, offers space for seven people.
• A wide range of systems that help and enhance the comfort of work and travel, as well as providing communication with the outside world
• Sales in Europe will start in early 2021, with a 7-year warranty or up to 150,000 km.

The fourth generation Sorento has been built on a new platform that not only offers maximum interior space and functionality, but also room for additional plug-in hybrid powertrain components. Moreover, thanks to the new Sorento Plug-in Hybrid platform, it offers both a spacious luggage compartment and as many as seven seats - similar to the rest of the engines in the Kia flagship SUV range.

In the first half of 2020, electrified versions of all Kia models, including mild hybrids, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, accounted for about a quarter of all Kia vehicles sold in Europe*.

The new Sorento Plug-in Hybrid will go on sale in select European markets in early 2021 with a 7-year warranty or up to 150,000 kilometers as standard.

High power, low emissions

The Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is not only the lowest-carbon model in Kia's flagship SUV lineup in Europe, but also the most powerful. The hybrid powertrain is based on a 1.6-liter T-GDi turbocharged engine with direct fuel injection, developing a maximum power of 180 hp. and maximum torque of 265 Nm. The internal combustion engine is supported by a lithium-ion battery with an energy capacity of 13.8 kWh and an electric motor with a maximum output of 66.9 kW and a maximum torque of 304 Nm.

The Sorento Plug-in Hybrid has a powertrain of 265 hp and a maximum torque of 350 Nm.

The electric range of the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is sufficient for most daily commutes using only electric drive. Range and carbon emissions are pending approval and will be announced before the vehicle goes on sale.

Torque is sent to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. This allows the torque of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor to be transmitted in parallel with minimal energy loss.

As a result, the drive responds to acceleration at any speed instantly, and at higher speeds access to the energy stored in the battery is direct.

A number of technological innovations in the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid powertrain make it the most advanced and efficient vehicle of its kind in Kia's history. This model is the first to feature an independent high voltage battery liquid cooling system for optimal temperature management and performance. The 66.9 kW electric motor rotor uses a new two-stage lamination process to reduce noise and vibration.

The internal combustion engine features the latest innovations in the Smartstream engine family, including Continuous Variable Valve Duration, which controls engine performance based on engine load. This allows it to operate in a variety of combustion cycles, which increases its performance and reduces fuel consumption.

Design and functionality

A new chassis platform designed for mid-size SUVs forms the basis of the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid and allows the fourth generation of Kia's flagship SUV to offer a very spacious interior and large luggage compartment despite the battery being located under the floor. cabin floor.

The plug-in hybrid version of the Sorento offers enough space for seven passengers, as do its hybrid and diesel variants. The large SUV has one of the largest trunks in its class, and a large battery hardly limits its capacity at all. The 7-seater Sorento Plug-in Hybrid has a luggage compartment capacity of up to 809 liters. The seven-seat plug-in hybrid version of the Sorento has a volume of 175 liters when all seats are occupied, which is only 4 liters less than the hybrid version of Kia's top SUV.

Two subtle differences that set the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid apart from the rest are the "eco-plug" badge and rear fender-mounted charging port.

With the exception of a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that lets you control the plug-in hybrid powertrain, the interior of Kia's top-of-the-line SUV has also remained unchanged. The instrument cluster makes it possible to check the state of charge of the battery and power consumption, as well as to monitor the operation of the drive system. The 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia system also offers new features such as charging points.

A wide range of systems to help and increase the comfort of work and connection

The touchscreen multimedia system allows you to connect your smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The Sorento is equipped with a 12-speaker BOSE audio system that provides surround sound and great sound for all passengers, as well as Mood Lighting interior lighting with 64 lighting colors to choose from.

The Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is also equipped with UVO Connect, a communication system with the outside world, which provides access to a large amount of information both via the touch screen in the car and via a smartphone. Kia Live services provide information about traffic, weather, places of interest, parking (including price, location and availability) and of course the location of nearby charging points. The UVO Connect system also allows you to send the route prepared at home to the car and check its position.

The Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is equipped with numerous advanced assistance systems to help you avoid or at least minimize the consequences of a collision. These include an autonomous braking system with detection of: vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist - FCA; Blind Spot Assist is supplemented by the function of displaying images from the side cameras on the central display (Blind-Spot View Monitor - BVM), a system for monitoring the situation in the car with a 360 ° camera (Surround View Monitor - SVM) and a system for automatically changing the trajectory of movement if the driver does not respond on the possibility of a collision when changing lanes (blind spot collision avoidance system - BCA); a system for recognizing signs of speed limits and automatically adjusting the speed to the current speed limits (Intelligent Speed ​​Limit Assist - ISLA); active cruise control with automatic distance control and stop-and-go function (Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go - SCC) with speed adaptation to navigation data (Navigation-based SCC - NSCC); Lane Keeping Assist (LFA); Driver Attention Warning (DAW); Highway Driving Assistance (HDA). The plug-in hybrid version of the Sorento also offers a system that monitors the rear of the car when reversing using a camera and sensors (Rear View Monitor - RVM) and can apply the brakes to avoid a pedestrian or obstacle (Rear View Monitor). Cross traffic collision avoidance system (RCCA). The Sorento Safe Exit Assist (SAE) function prevents the tailgate from opening when a vehicle (car or cyclist) is approaching from behind.

The new Sorento is also equipped for the first time with Multi-Collision Brake, an automatic collision braking system that mitigates the effects of possible re-collisions. The system automatically applies the brakes when the airbags deploy after the first impact to protect passengers from the consequences of subsequent frontal or side impacts.

Sales start in 2021 with a 7-year warranty or up to 150,000 km.

The new Sorento plug-in hybrid version for European markets will be built at Kia's Hwasung plant in Korea. Sales in Russia will start in early 2021. The Sorento Plug-in Hybrid, like every other model sold in Europe, will come standard with Kia's seven-year or 150,000-kilometer warranty, covering both the battery and electric motor.

* - From January to June 2020, mild hybrid, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles accounted for 25.2% of Kia's total sales in the European Union, European Free Trade Area and the UK.

Photos: KIA