SPY PICS: 2016 Kia Sportage at the 'Ring

New images of the 2016 Kia Sportage medium SUV have landed on the motoring.com.au newsdesk, showing the vehicle testing at Germany's Nurburging road course.

Kia's reworked SUV is due to arrive in Australia late in 2015, the all-new new fourth-generation Sportage boasting a fresh look along with revised mechanicals, from the suspension and steering to the engines.

Although it's not entirely clear what engines the new model will get, the Korean car maker has an increasingly wide range of engines to choose from, including the zesty 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine from the Cerato Koup that bangs out 150kW and 265Nm.

Current models use 2.0-litre petrol and turbo-diesel engines, rated at 122kW and 135kW respectively, but Kia is expected to run smaller turbo engines to reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. A new 1.2-litre turbo-petrol has been mooted for use in the Sportage.

Front and all-wheel drive versions will be on offer as is currently the case, and the latest version of Kia's seven-speed dual clutch is a likely starter, which will further increase appeal while reducing fuel consumption.

Design-wise, it's difficult to tell what the new model will look like because of the strategically-placed camouflage, but expect a more modern and indeed stylish vehicle with strong European influences. The Automedia spy photographers reckon it'll be a "conservative" design with flanks and overall silhouette that won't change dramatically.

The big changes appear to be around the front end, where new-look headlights and a modern interpretation of Kia's 'tiger-nose' grille will be in evidence. The rear end of the new Kia Sportage will also benefit from new sheet metal, glass and brake light designs and the SUV is likely to benefit from a range of new technologies too, such as radar-based cruise control and lane departure warning systems.

If it's anything like its sister vehicle, the Hyundai Tucson, it'll be bigger too, affording more passenger and boot space.

In 2014 the Kia Sportage was the company's second-highest selling vehicle in this country and is crucial to the company's bottom line, and there will plenty resting on the new model. Price will be crucial to its success; currently priced from $25,990, the Sportage is one of the more affordable medium SUVs, and the only one with a seven-year warranty.

Back in February, Kia Motors Australia CEO Damien Meredith told motoring.com.au the new model will be "a special SUV" and won't disappoint in the styling stakes.

The Kia Sportage is expected to be revealed later in the year, potentially at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show in October.