Kia has unveiled the replacement for the Sportage sold in China at the 2017 Guangzhou Auto Show. The Kia NP is still in prototype stage. It will go on sale in China early next year certainly with a different name.
The Kia NP has been engineered specifically for the Chinese market. It is based on the previous generation Kia Sportage/Hyundai ix35's platform. It does not feature Kia's signature 'tiger-nose' grille. Instead, there's a large chrome lined grille with chrome louvres and chrome studs. The bumpers get a two-tone look with generous black cladding and silver finish underbody protection. It does get Sportage/Sorento like "ice cube" LED fog lamps. The rear gets a rather plain looking tailgate and split tail lights with LED detailing.
Judging by the conservative looks of the prototype, the actual production-spec model could be nearly identical. The windows and windscreens were completely blacked out so, the interior of the Kia NP remains a mystery.
The Kia NP is 4.41 m long and has a 2.64 m wheelbase. A 2.0 L 160 hp petrol engine with automatic and manual transmission options will be the mainstay of the lineup. A 1.4 L turbocharged petrol could also be offered mated to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic.
Also Read - Hyundai ix35 interior spied
Sister concern Hyundai has adopted a similar approach for the Chinese market. It unveiled the new ix35 at Auto Shanghai 2017 in April this year. Both the Kia NP and Hyundai ix35 share the same platform.
[source - Noticias Automotivas]
