Kia Motors has revealed its facelifted Sportage, which gains a handful of styling tweaks (inside and out) as well as an updated engine line-up.

Key styling changes include fresh front and rear bumpers, as well as redesigned headlamps and tail-lamps. The Korean automaker will also offer new 16-, 17- and 19-inch alloy wheel designs.

New options (in Europe, at least) will include chrome sill trim and metallic skid-plates, along with five fresh paint colours. GT Line models will be fitted with a gloss black radiator grille, a gloss black and silver skid-plate, and dark chrome inserts on the side sills and tailgate.

Inside, you’ll find a new steering wheel and a revised instrument cluster, as well as updated black-and-grey upholstery. GT Line models, meanwhile, will be offered in Europe with black-and-grey two-tone leather seats or optional black leather with red accents. European customers furthermore have the choice of Kia’s latest infotainment systems: a 7,0-inch touchscreen and frameless 8,0-inch arrangement.

So, what about engines? Well, the headline act is Kia’s new “EcoDynamics+” 2,0-litre “R” diesel mild-hybrid powertrain. This system supplements acceleration with power from a 48-volt battery, and extends engine “off time” with a new mild-hybrid starter-generator unit.

Interestingly, the existing 1,7-litre CRDi diesel engine has been replaced in Europe with a new 1,6-litre “U3” CRDi unit, which Kia describes as the brand’s “cleanest diesel engine” ever. This new oil-burner will be offered in 85 kW and 100 kW guises, with the higher-powered models available with all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

We’ve asked Kia Motors South Africa when the updated Sportage is expected to arrive on local shores, and will update this story once we hear back…

Original article from Car