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8-speed gearbox and new design for 2018 Sorento

Posted on 05 September, 2017
8-speed gearbox and new design for 2018 Sorento

Kia Motors Europe has announced a range of new upgrades for its seven-seat flagship SUV and will be on public display for the first time at the 2017 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The new Sorento will be the first from Kia with the company’s new eight-speed automatic transmission that was launched in 2016. The new eight-speed automatic transmission is available on Sorento models powered by the 2.2-litre diesel engine, replacing the six-speed automatic transmission, but Kia will keep the six-speed auto on the market for now. The greater choice of gears in the eight speed enables more decisive acceleration, while reducing CO2 emissions from 172 to 159 g/km. The new transmission offers four different drive modes that allow the driver to customise the powertrain’s responses to driver inputs, enhancing fuel economy or acceleration characteristics depending on driver preference. Kia has also introduced a new GT Line variant to the Sorento. Inspired by the appearance of Kia’s higher-performance GT models, the exterior features four-lamp LED fog lights, red brake callipers, a more prominent sill step, and subtle GT Line badging designed to distinguish it from other Sorento models. Diesel models are fitted with a new chrome twin exhaust tip. The interior of the GT Line includes the same improvements as the standard car, and also features quilted seats, finished in black leather with contrasting grey stitching, plus other additions. All new Sorentos will come with an array of safety features that include driver warning systems to combat drowsy driving. Buyers can upgrade their Sorento with a new Harman/Kardon® sound system that Kia says has music restoration technology to rebuild audio signals lost in the digital compression process, returning high-fidelity quality to digitally-compressed music.