(continued from above)
The 2011 Sportage SX front-wheel drive (FWD) features a starting
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $25,795 while all-wheel drive
(AWD) models feature a starting MSRP of $27,295.
The Sportage SX joins
the 2011 Optima Turbo as Kia's second vehicle in the U.S to feature the powerful
Theta II 2.0-liter Turbo GDI engine and adds unique exterior and interior
features and luxury appointments to provide consumers a high performance and
high value CUV. In combination with a highly efficient six-speed automatic
transmission, the new Sportage SX features up to 256 horsepower while
maintaining class-leading fuel economy of 27 miles per gallon on the highway,
better than any other turbo-equipped compact CUV on the market today. In
addition to powertrain enhancements, the Sportage SX employs sport-tuned
suspension featuring firmer shock and strut rates for improved handling and
dynamic performance over non-SX models.
"Sportage offers an ideal mix of
performance, fuel efficiency and utility for the discriminating compact CUV
buyer," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.
"With the addition of a more powerful Turbo GDI engine, unique interior
appointments and improved performance, the Sportage SX makes an already
appealing CUV even more fun to drive."
Exterior and Interior
Appointments
On the outside, SX models receive unique 18" alloy
wheels, a signature SX grille, dual exhaust, and special side sill moldings.
Exterior updates are complemented by SX-specific interior appointments adding
more refinement inside the cabin, including standard aluminum door sills and a
sleek new supervision gauge cluster. Available exclusively on the Sportage SX,
Orange and Blue interior color packages offer more interior color choices for
potential buyers. The Orange Color Package includes orange stitching on the
steering wheel, center console, and seats coupled with orange accents on the
door panels and air vents. A unique blue patterned cloth seat and blue interior
accents are included as part of the Blue Color Package.
More Powerful
SX Engine
Kia Motors' Theta II 2.0-liter Turbo GDI engine delivers
significant performance with a powerful inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine
that produces up to 256 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of peak torque. The Sportage SX turbo utilizes a
twin-scroll design which offers improved combustion efficiency, more available
low-end power, and reduced turbo-lag as compared to more traditional
single-scroll turbo systems.
The twin-scroll design features two
valve-operated exhaust gas inlets responsible for feeding exhaust flow through
separate paths into the turbine. Utilizing a divided manifold, exhaust gasses
from separate cylinders travel more efficiently into the turbocharger's turbine,
avoiding possible interference. The result is a system that improves efficiency
and pressure distribution, lowers exhaust and cylinder temperatures, and
prevents loss of exhaust energy. The quantity of the air entering each cylinder
is increased, resulting in more power.
