PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Kia Sorento with V6 power and FWD for Oz

Kia has revealed its new-generation Sorento at the Paris motor show, less than a month before the new SUV is to be released in Australia.

While the styling changes to the Sorento’s stronger body stop short of being overly dramatic, beneath the skin is an all-new platform, shared with its twin the Hyundai Santa Fe.

As we reported at the end of August, the Kia's new body shell is aimed at improving safety, freeing up interior space and improving handling.

Additionallly the restyled exterior reduces drag to 0.34Cd, with benefits for fuel consumption and noise. 

Also doing its bit in the name of the environment is a new 2.4-litre direct injection four-cylinder petrol engine which, at 141kW/242Nm is nine per cent more powerful and has 6.6 per cent more torque than the engine it replaces.

The four-cylinder 2.2-litre R Series turbodiesel carries over unchanged at 145kW/422Nm with six-speed manual, or 145kW/436Nm with six-speed automatic.

Of the two drivetrains covered in Kia’s Paris press material, only the diesel will be coming to Australia, says Kia Australia's public relations manager, Kevin Hepworth. Two other engines, the 2.4-litre Theta II and a 2.0-litre, were covered in some detail, but the press release made no mention of the 3.5-litre V6 that we are definitely going to see in Australia, according to Mr Hepworth. 

Mimicking the current lineup, diesel Sorentos will be available in all-wheel drive only, while the 3.5-litre V6 will be front-wheel drive only.

The Kia spokesman expressed confidence the new Sorento will perform strongly in Australia, particularly now Hyundai has dropped front-drive and V6-powered variants from its new Santa Fe range.

Mr Hepworth said the 2.4-litre GDI engine remained “under evaluation” for Australia, but that he expected the V6, front-drive variants to appeal strongly to the grey nomads, for whom towing ability is more important than offroad traction.

Australian spec is not yet finalised but the new Sorento appears likely to include ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, UV-reflecting glass and a separate climate control zone for the third-row accommodation.

Likewise, safety features are unannounced but on the menu are radar-based Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning System and Smart Parking Assist System.

The Kia Sorento is scheduled to launch in Australia in the second week of October.

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