Kia Sportage

2000 October: Kia are offering a body kit for the 2001 Sportage 4x4, with "running boards", flared wheel arches, alloy wheels and roof rails.

Inside, the 4wd.sofcom.com --> instruments and cloth upholstery are revised. Prices start at 25,990 for the 5-speed manual, 27,990 for the 4-speed automatic ( 2000).

2000 April: The revisions to the 2000 Kia Sportage include a big body stretch (+305mm), although the wheelbase stays at 2650mm, so that the spare wheel can be tucked under the rear body, rather than hanging on a rear carrier, as before. This makes the Sportage much easier to use to do the shopping, and increases the load sapce, but weight is up 100+kg, and the departure angle suffers.

A driver's airbag and seat belt web clamps are standard on the safety front. Central locking and an engine immobilser serve security. Air conditioning is standard and there is a radio and CD-player.

Mechanically there is little change to the Sportage, the lively 2-litre engine, part-time 4WD system, coil springs, and full chassis all being familiar. Four wheel drive can be engaged at up to 80km/h.

- © L. A11ison.

Kia Sportage 4x4 2000

• station wagon, 5-seats, 4-doors
• loa: 4430mm, width: 1735mm, height: 1655m
• approach: 36°, departure: 24°, ramp break over: 159°
• turning radius: 5.3m
• weight: 1610kg (unladen), GVM: 2380kg, towing: 465kg (unbraked)
• 1998cc, petrol, 4-cyls, mpfi, 4-valves/cyl, dohc
• bore: 86mm, stroke: 86mm, c.r.: 9.2:1
• transmission: 5-speed manual. 4-speed auto', two speed transfer case, part-time 4WD
• suspension: indep - coils/ live coils, brakes: disc/drum
• tyres: 205/75R15, fuel-tank: 65L
• warranty: 3 year/ 100,000km
• fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km city, 12.6L/100km highway (man' & auto')
• prices: 25,990 manual, 27,990 automatic ( 10/2000)
  24,990 manual, 26,990 automatic ( 4/2000)

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