LONDON: Kia is ending the year in style with the launch of its limited-edition Sportage JBL Black Edition that looks and sounds good.
The exterior has been slapped with an all-black effect that includes some gloss-black accents for contrast on the new front grille surround and grille mesh, front and rear skid plates, headlights, front fog lamps and roof rails as well as some metallic flashes across the front and down the side sills.
Even the front and rear badges have been darkened, including the once silver nameplate that's now in gloss black lettering and spelled out across the centre of the tailgate.
The 17-inch alloys have been finished in black and fitted with darkened logo centre caps while the chromed door handles now match the Phantom Black body-colour.
Inside, the cabin features an eight-speaker JBL audio system that comes attached with a subwoofer, external amplifier and front centre speaker as standard while the upholstery gets wrapped in black leather - including the steering wheel, gearshift and door armrests.
Accompanying the Sportage's new-found accoutrements is a 360-degree camera system, front and rear parking sensors, panoramic sunroof and LED bi-function headlights and LED rear taillights, keyless entry with push-start button, heated front and outer rear seats and a heated steering wheel.
The infotainment system uses an 8.0-inch touchscreen system with UVO Connect ‘Phase II’ telematics and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The system offers a range of ‘connected car’ features for added convenience, displaying information such as fuel prices and locations of nearby filling stations, the location and real-time availability of parking spaces and live traffic updates.
The South Korean carmaker has already included six airbags and Isofix mounting points and gets further bolstered by Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), High Beam Assist (HBA), Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF) and Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Trailer Stability Assist (TSA), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with pedestrian detection.
Two engine choices will be provided, the first being a 174bhp 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol mill mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT automatic transmission for the front wheels.
In addition, Kia’s ‘EcoDynamics+’ 1.6-litre CRDi ‘Smartstream’ mild-hybrid diesel powertrain is also available - providing 134bhp and 320Nm of torque, and can also be married to either a manual or dual-clutch automatic transmission.
