Kia Motors has launched the all-new Sorento, its latest third generation SUV offering, with the Dead Sea as the backdrop for the unveiling.

Mohammed Khader, president of Al Majid Motors, the sole distributor of Kia vehicles in the UAE, said: “The rugged landscape and stunning panorama of The Dead Sea proved to the perfect location to showcase the capabilities of Kia Motors all-new Sorento, which will be appearing in KIA showrooms across the region in early 2015.

“Among the Kia range, the Sorento is the company’s second best-selling model with an over 18 per cent sales ratio in Kia SUV range.”

“The All-New version is expected to increase unit sales in view of the fact that it is an entirely new vehicle that sets new standards in its class for performance, features, build quality, design, luxury, road holding and safety,” he added.

The new model offers a number of significant advances that build on the success of the outgoing model. Its length and width have been increased and its height reduced.

The changes have improved its road holding capabilities and provided more cabin space for passengers, with the vehicle comfortably seating up to seven occupants.

The new dimensions have attributed to giving the car a sleeker profile and a more muscular stance, elements which have been accentuated with new styling.

It re-designed body shell uses 52.7 per cent ultra-high tensile steel (UHTS) as opposed to 24.4 per cent in the previous-generation model.

The additional use of UHTS makes for improved torsional rigidity (14 per cent greater than the outgoing version), which provides better handling and ride quality. The significantly stronger structure also means increased protection for occupants in the event of an impact.

The model’s Smart Power Tailgate automatically opens when the key is ‘sensed’ in close proximity to the trunk, so owners can load their shopping bags or heavy objects straight into the vehicle.

A wealth of ‘active’ safety technologies include Adaptive Smart Cruise Control; Lane Departure Warning System, which emits an audible alert when the driver strays from the chosen lane without using indicators; Blind-Spot Detection; Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, which warns about other cars driving behind the Sorento in car parks. A rear parking camera is available with an optional upgraded multimedia entertainment system.

It comes with a choice of three new engines, all of which have been upgraded from the previous model and has numerous other additional improvements and enhancements.

“The third generation model is expected to build on the huge popularity of the outgoing version, which itself significantly impacted on the company’s market share in the UAE,” said Khader.

“Its launch at this time is a fitting start to the New Year and we anticipate double the number of sales for the model in 2015, thanks to its host of technical, design and luxury improvements,” he added. - TradeArabia News Service