Kia holds Negros Exploration Drive

Last week, Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), distributor of Kia vehicles in the country invited over a dozen members of the media on a 500-kilometer road trip from Bacolod City to Dumaguete City and back. The road trip was the first road trip for the all-new Kia Sportage and it was an opportunity for the motoring media to put the new Sportage to the test in some of the most scenic coastal roads in the province of Negros. The trip also had some stages of rough roads, which are still under repair after the devastating earthquake of 2013. This was an opportunity to test drive the Sportage, along with other Kia models on how the new generation Kia vehicles are fairing in terms of power, handling, fuel efficiency and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).

When asked about Kia’s market in Negros, “Kia is quite pleased to have a strong presence in Bacolod. As one of the highly urbanzied cities in the whole region, we are not only expected to cater to the needs of loyal Kia customers but also to bring the brand closer to potential buyers. Kia Bacolod was established in 2009 and it quickly developed as a Kia Global Space Identity (GSI) dealership by 2012. In three short years, it became a dealership that adheres to a world-class Kia standard giving Negrenses the quality service and products they deserve.” Said Dodie Gañac, CAC VP for marketing and sales. It was not surprising that this writer saw an unsual number of units of the 1st generation Kia Sportage still being used in the streets of Bacolod and Dumaguete.

Kia recently unveiled the all-new 4th generation Sportage to members of the media at Sentro, Capitol Commons and had a public debut at the recently concluded Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) showcasing their new SUV to some 110,000 visitors who attended the event. The all-new Sportage had its global debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September last year and locally, it is available in 3 variants – the Kia Sportage EX 2WD, EX AWD, and the topline GT Line AWD variant. These are powered by an R2.0L in-line 4 e-VGT CRDi DOHC Euro 4 diesel engine with improved emissions and better fuel efficiency as well as engine response and refinement.

The all-new Kia Sportage was sculpted in Kia’s European design studio in Frankfurt, Germany as it spearheaded the 4th generation Sportage’s powerful, new form. So it was only fitting that it had its global unveil in Frankfurt. Soon after, the Sportage has already bagged the prestigious 2016 Red Dot Award for Product Design, a global distinction that recognizes ground-breaking automotive designs. Thanks to the leadership of Peter Schreyer, Kia’s chief designer and the first non-Korean chief executive who took his wealth of knowledge and gave Kia its new design direction that played a key role in driving Kia Motors’ sustained growth in recent years.

While the shape and silhouette of the new generation Sportage is somewhat reminiscent from the previous one, it carries a much bolder and different front. It also builds on the success of its earlier models, and promises to excel in refinement, design, and quality. According to Kia, the overall concept of the Sportage is three-pronged: sporty, energetic, and dramatic. Inside, the design team worked on the Sportage’s cabin comfort and functionality starting with its wide, driver-oriented dashboard with a greater proportion of soft-touch materials and the use of high quality cloth, leather, and stitching compared to its previous generation models. There was a notable increase in headroom and legroom and improved seating support and posture, which was critical during the test drive. Cargo room was also expanded from 465 liters to 503 liters, suitable for long out-of-town trips on the weekends.

Aside from the EX AWD variant, the group also got to test drive the GT Line variant. The GT Line Sportage offered a more dynamic drive, thanks to bigger wheels and a tuned suspension, giving it a better edge specially in the twisty back roads of Bacolod and Dumageute.

The GT Line models feature satin chrome moldings on the radiator grille, aero blade, tail gate, side sill, and window surround moldings and a new “ice-cube” design LED fog lamps, aluminum-effect skid plates, and 19-inch alloy wheels and dual-tip exhaust tailpipes and metal-effect rear underbody that further added its sporty appeal. Inside, the GT Line is even made more distinctive with its D-shaped leather steering wheel, piano black fascia and aluminum alloy pedals.  For more aggressive and dynamic driving, the GT Line offers paddle shifters and are fitted with unique suspension characteristics specifically tuned to provide sharper handling and firmer rides without sacrificing comfort.

Aside from trying out the two all-wheel-drive variants of the Sportage, the group also got to test drive some of Kia’s current model vehicles, from the Grand Carnival, Sorento, Forte 5 and the second generation Soul models. Not surprisingly, they performed very well, despite some of the rough roads the convoy had encountered. Most if not all of the vehicles were also not refueled until finishing the 3-day long drive. So Kia’s company slogan “The Power to Surprise” is no longer a surprise anymore. From now on and in the years to come, it is a standard.