Short-wheelbase Kia Sportage previewed

Kia has released sketches of a shorter version of the all-new 2021 Kia Sportage that will be unveiled this week and was reportedly developed specifically for the European market.

This is understood to be the first time the Korean car-maker has spun off a dedicated version of the Kia Sportage since the mid-size SUV was first introduced back in 1993.

It's thought in some markets there were fears the 180mm increase in length of the NQ5 Kia Sportage would see it cannibalise sales from the bigger Kia Sorento.

The new Euro Sportage measures in at 4485mm long, making it 175mm shorter in overall length to the longer-wheelbase new-generation model and just a fraction longer (+5mm) than the outgoing version.

The Euro model's wheelbase of 2680mm is 75mm shorter than the Sportage that will launch in Australia in the coming months.

Not surprisingly, considering the size and weight difference compared to the model sold in Australia, the smaller Euro Sportage will get a unique chassis tune that's been "meticulously honed to offer optimal drive and handling characteristics for European roads", Kia says.

Design-wise, the teasers suggest the new Sportage derivative will feature identical frontal styling but could deviate from the larger model with a more striking C-pillar treatment that gives the impression of a sportier SUV.

Kia Europe has yet to announce what will live under the bonnet, but it's thought both a 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and a 137kW/417Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that's already offered in the closely-related Hyundai Tucson will be confirmed, plus a new plug-in hybrid version that blends a 1.6-litre turbo with an electric motor for a combined 169kW/350Nm.

Inside, the new SWB Sportage is expected to bag an identical cabin to the SUV we're getting Down Under, which means it should get twin 12.0-inch screens that dominate the cabin.

Fresh tech like wireless phone charging and over-the-air software updates and new adaptive dampers will all be introduced, plus dozens of new safety systems and driver assistance technologies.

While full-size Sportage deliveries are set to begin in November 2021, Kia Australia has no plans at this stage to bring the shorter European-market version Down Under.