Media Preview (Soft Launch) of The New Sorento
1. SHORT STORY
2. STYLING
3. INTERIOR AND COMFORT
4. POWERTRAIN AND CHASSIS
5. SAFETY
6. EQUIPMENT AND PRICING
1. SHORT STORY
What do you do with a car that's just three years old, that's won a string of awards and that's consistently been a top seller in the over 2.0L Diesel SUV market segment? Well, if your name's Naza Kia and the model in question is the Sorento, you give it a complete overhaul to keep it at the forefront of the SUV segment.
The Sorento, which has clinched a double Car Of The Year win 2006 (Autocar ASEAN and Cars,Bikes & Trucks) to add to its Towcar of the Year 2006 award from the Caravan Club UK and Best 4x4 in 2005 award from 4x4 magazine, now offers more of everything.
The revised Sorento 2.5-litre CRDi Turbo-Intercooled Diesel model delivers improved performance; suspension modifications provide a better balance of ride and handling; safety is enhanced with state-of-the-art accident-avoidance features; there is a contemporary new look; more luxury car options become available; and there are smarter trim materials in a higher-quality cabin.
Yet prices have been held, which means the range again starts at just RM138, 888, On-the-road. The Sorento now comes with a 5 year / 125,000km* warranty and 2 year / 50,000km* free service package. (* Whichever comes first)
The Sorento was Naza Kia's first foray into the high-end SUV market. Designed with European input and with Malaysian buyers in mind, it has been a huge success. Sales in Malaysia to date have exceeded 5,500 units.
The revised model uses the same body panels as the original car. But new front and rear bumpers, projection-style headlamps, tail lights and body mouldings give it a more elegant and modern appearance without representing such a absolute change that the excellent residual values of the original Sorento would be adversely affected.
The CRDi Turbo-Intercooled Diesel is available with five-speed automatic gearbox, which also features a Sports Shift Mode, allowing manual override of gear changes.
The ladder-frame chassis and dual-frame body construction of the Sorento have earned praise since launch, but for 2008 the springs and dampers of the fully-independent suspension have been retuned to give a smoother ride.
The Sorento continues to be available with selectable or full-time four-wheel-drive systems. A low ratio gearbox assists in severe off-roading conditions.
An audible reversing aid is offered to help reduce the risk of parking knocks. Twin front airbags and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) are standard.
The quality of the interior is raised through a new centre stack and floor console, a neater control layout and higher-quality materials. The Sorento comes with a grey leather interior. The centre stack houses dual-zone air conditioning, an audio with CD player and MP3 compatibility.
Reshaped backrests on the front seats increase legroom and comfort for passengers traveling in the rear.
The refreshed Naza Sorento is available for sale now at all Naza Kia dealerships nationwide. Call 1-800-888-KIA (542) for more information.
2008 Naza Sorento 2.5L CRDi Turbo-Intercooled Price (OTR): RM138,888.00
2. STYLING
If it isn't broke, don't fix it.
Naza Kia have adhered to the tried-and-tested maxim with the updated Sorento.
The company's first foray into the high-end SUV market was so right from the word go, as evidenced by the string of awards it has collected since the launch of the original model in 2003, that it needed little in the way of improvement.
But resounding successes only stay that way by evolving. So Naza Kia has made subtle but significant improvements to its flagship. They enhance the Sorento's look and perceived quality, without damaging residual values of the original model.
The major exterior body panels are unchanged, as is the ladder-frame construction. Buyers always did like the Sorento's bold exterior and formidable on-road presence, and have frequently cited its 'highly attractive' appearance as one of the reasons for choosing it.
But the revised model has been given a more contemporary and elegant look.
There are new bumpers front and rear which add to the Sorento's overall style, new projection-style headlamps, new tail lights, new wheel arches and alloy wheels (16 inches in diameter), and new mouldings at the front, rear and side of the body.
A revised grille, circular front fog lamps, rear bumper-mounted reflectors and a chrome detailing strip above the rear number-plate housing complete the new look.
3. INTERIOR AND COMFORT
As with the exterior, the practicality and design of the Sorento's cabin was so highly-rated by customers that there was little need for wholesale, unnecessary change.
But engineers have found ways of improving the comfort and elegance of the Sorento's interior while retaining all that was popular about the original model.
By reshaping the front backrests and making it easier to move the multi-adjustable rear backrest to different positions, the Sorento now has an extra 30mm of knee room for passengers sitting in the back. There is now even more space for up to five people.
Up front, the centre stack and centre floor console have a neater layout and are trimmed with high-grade materials. A sporty and refined new LED instrument cluster, opening and shutting air vents and large double cup holders between the front seats improve the look and functionality of the revised Sorento. A new CD audio that is MP3-compatible and eight speakers are fitted as standard.
All Sorento’s are equipped with climate control, allowing passengers to select their own comfort settings.
A universally accepted Grey leather upholstery is standard on the Sorento.
But the added luxury is not at the expense of versatility, which remains as good as ever. Sorento's load-carrying abilities are enhanced by a 60:40 split rear seat, lift-up rear cushions and fold-down backrests. The already spacious load floor area can therefore be made even longer. The extended load platform is totally flat.
There are also storage areas beneath the floor and twin storage bins within the rear quarter panels, and a restraining net is provided.
The final practical touch is provided by a flip-up rear window that can be opened independently of the tailgate, making it easier for owners to throw in smaller items like sports bags.
4. POWERTRAINS AND CHASSIS
The Sorento’s acclaimed 2.5-litre four-cylinder Turbodiesel has been a favourite amongst SUV owners for its torque and frugal fuel consumption.
Sorentos produce lively performance, yet they also deliver competitive economy - a welcome bonus at a time of ever-rising fuel prices. The 2497cc 16-valve twin-cam turbodiesel is expected to account for about 50% of Naza Kia’s SUV sales in Malaysia, so the unique selling points of its performance, operating costs and refinement give Kia a chance to capitalise further on its already broad appeal and fleet sales potential.
The Sorento’s Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDi) Turbo-Intercooled powerplant gives the user a flexible engine with a peak power output of 140PS at 3,800rpm. Peak torque is 35 kg-m (294 Nm) at just 2,000 rpm.
But even these headline figures do not reveal the full extent of the advantages in driveability, smoothness and refinement. About 290 Nm of maximum torque is available from just 1300rpm to 2000rpm and beyond. This gives the revised Sorento tremendous flexibility in everyday driving.
The diesel Sorento is equipped with Kia's new five-speed automatic transmission featuring Sports Shift Mode, which allows the driver to override gearchanges manually by moving the lever fore and aft after sliding it to the left. The automatic gearbox is part of the Sorento’s EST (Electric Shift Transfer) Part Time 4WD. This intelligent 4WD system ensures that the Sorento achieves admirable levels of fuel consumption and performance.
The Sorento continues to be built around a sturdy ladder-frame chassis that can stand up to heavy-duty off-roading better than rivals built on monocoque principles. But all-independent suspension (wishbones at the front and a five-link system at the rear, with gas dampers all round) ensure it has the sharp handling and smooth ride that drivers who never venture off-road will enjoy.
The springs and dampers of the revised Sorento have been retuned to give an even more comfortable ride and more controlled handling.
All Sorentos have a full-time electronically-controlled torque-on-demand four-wheel-drive system, which automatically varies the front-rear torque distribution to ensure optimum traction in all conditions.
All models are protected by an under body skid plate that shields the engine, gearbox and fuel tank from damage off-road.
5. SAFETY
As the original base model for Sorento has a five-star NHSTA NCAP crash-test rating, dual airbags as standard, the handling security that comes from selectable or permanent torque-on-demand four-wheel drive and the latest ABS (Anti-Lock Brakes) with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), the Sorento has always provided excellent occupant protection.
All models have child safety door locks, five three-point seat belts and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution. This apportions stopping power to the wheels with most grip to reduce braking distances.
In the revised Sorento, the load-limiting front seat-belt pretensioners lock the belts in the optimum protection position if an accident is likely, while minimising pressure on the user's chest.
6. EQUIPMENT AND PRICING
With excellent power and performance, a higher-quality interior, smarter styling, new equipment features with prices held. Naza Kia has once again defied convention with the revised Sorento.
Standard equipment across the range includes automatic air conditioning, four electric windows and electrically-operated folding door mirrors, remote central locking, a CD stereo system with MP3 compatibility and eight speakers, alloy wheels, roof rails, a flip-up tailgate, dual airbags, ABS with EBD, cruise control, chromed door handles and the torque-on-demand four-wheel-drive system.
About the Naza Group of Companies
The Naza Group of Companies began operations in 1976, trading in import of used and reconditioned vehicles. Today, the Group through its subsidiaries represents various marques, including, completely Built Up (CBU) Mercedes Benz, KIA, CBU Peugeot, Bentley, Ferrari and Maserati. This is in addition to other business interests in the hospitality industry locally and abroad, public transportation and host of other activities. The Group became a full-fledged auto assembler when they launched the KIA Spectra in 2001.
In 2003, the Naza Group introduced the nation’s first Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV), Naza Ria and in 2005 the Naza Citra MPV and the double Car Of The Year Award-Winning Naza Sorento Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). The Naza Group operates an automotive manufacturing facility in Gurun, Kedah which currently manufactures Ria, Citra, Sorento, Spectra and 206 Bestari.
