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.
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.
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