Author: Tristan Shale-Hester

What is it?

Having already firmly established the Sportage as a mainstream choice of an affordable yet well-equipped full-size SUV, Kia is looking to refresh the model with a new facelifted version.

Although it’s almost identical to the previous generation model on the surface – with the aesthetics merely having been ever so slightly tidied up, rather than completely overhauled – there are a number of new technological features on the car.

There’s also an updated range of engines available, with the diesel powertrain having been replaced and a mild hybrid option being introduced.

What’s new?

Looking at the facelifted Sportage for the first time, you won’t notice any staggering changes. However, inspect closely and you’ll see that the design has been somewhat streamlined in comparison to before, with new bumpers at the front and rear, as well as updated headlight signatures.

The Sportage’s infotainment system has received an upgrade, with a sleeker, frameless eight-inch touchscreen now available as an optional extra. Semi-autonomous features such as Lane Keep Assist are now included as standard from a lower grade than before.

There’s a new choice of engines as well, with the diesel option being downsized to a 1.6-litre U3 unit and a mild hybrid powertrain being offered as well.

What’s under the bonnet?

We tested two different engines in the Sportage – the 1.6-litre four-cylinder U3 diesel and the 2.0-litre four-cylinder 48V mild hybrid powertrain.

The most obvious choice of powertrain for buyers will likely be the new 134bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine, which is both economical and punchy – offering 58.9mpg and providing a plentiful 320Nm of torque. Acceleration is perfectly adequate, if a bit sporadic, with the car gaining speed at a fluctuating rate as it climbs through the gears, reaching 60mph in 11.4 seconds and carrying on to a top speed of 112mph.

That said, we feel that the 2.0-litre mild hybrid is the superior powertrain. The electric element means there’s a great thump of instant torque – a whopping 400Nm of it – when you hit the accelerator, with the engine feeling much more potent than its conventional counterpart, thanks to an output of 182bhp and a top speed of 125mph.

In addition, both these engines’ performances are noticeably improved by the Sportage’s Sport Mode feature, with the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission we tested changing gear at higher revs.

The Sportage is also available with a 1.6-litre GDi or T-GDi petrol unit, with up to 174bhp and 265Nm of torque.

What’s it like to drive?

The first thing to note when it comes to the Sportage’s driving dynamics is that it does have the quite light steering that is commonplace among cars from other cars in the Kia range. However, this is not as much of a problem in this case as it is with other models for two main reasons.

Really impressed by the new Kia Sportage, especially the hybrid version which I think gives the car a great new dimension. pic.twitter.com/zGo3HkQwM9

— Tristan Shale-Hester (@tristan_shale) July 25, 2018

Firstly, whereas you might wish to have a lot of feel in a small hatchback so you can throw it into a corner and feel like a teenager again, it’s sensible for a big car such as the Sportage to be easy to manoeuvre.

Secondly, that Sport Mode setting we mentioned earlier does a fantastic job of weighting up the steering, creating a much more heftier feel that gives you a lot more confidence in the corners. To be able to switch between the two extremes with the press of a button is very useful.

The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is another good point, changing gears with a focus on performance or economy – depending on whether or not Sport Mode is engaged – and also allowing the option for the driver manually select a gear using a pair of flappy paddles.

How does it look?

The Sportage’s facelift hasn’t changed the car’s aesthetics in any dramatic way at all. However, the new bumpers at the front and rear, and the updated headlight signatures do offer a slightly smarter look that keen Kia enthusiasts may notice. This is representative of the gradual improvement we’ve seen in how models from the South Korean brand both look and drive over relatively recent years.

However, the Sportage still isn’t an exciting or trendy looking car. It stands up to some rivals, such as the Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Karoq, but can’t match the stylishness of examples such as the Mini Countryman.

What’s it like inside?

In spite of a few scratchy plastics lower down in the cabin – which is acceptable in any non-premium model – the Sportage’s interior is generally a nice place to be. There’s an abundance of leather for a car of this value and, despite being kitted out with a wide range of gadgets, the buttons have been laid out in a logical way as opposed to looking like they’ve been applied completely random.

The optional eight-inch frameless touchscreen is also a highlight, blending seamlessly into the dashboard. As for the infotainment system itself, there’s a pleasing symmetry between its digital layout and colour scheme and that of the Sportage’s other dials and instruments.

What’s the spec like?

The starting price for the Sportage is £20,305, which will buy you a grade 1 model with 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, DAB radio and Bluetooth, among other standard features.

Grade 2 specification starts at £22,405 and adds 17-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation and some basic semi-autonomous driver aids, such as Lane-Keep Assist and High-Beam Assist.

Costing from £25,510, the GT-Line model features sporty styling, front parking sensors and a smart entry system.

The Sportage Edition 25 starts at £25,655 and comes with a JBL premium sound system, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav and premium paint at no added cost.

The grade 4 car costs from £27,260, which also gets you the eight-inch screen and JBL sound system, as well as a panoramic sunroof, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist and Blind Spot Collision Warning.

Finally, the top-spec GT-Line S model costs from £31,245 and includes adaptive cruise control, electrically adjustable seats, an electronic parking brake, a 360-degree around view monitor, a powered tailgate and a wireless phone charger.

Verdict

It’s hard to find anything really wrong with the Sportage. It may not be the most interesting or stylish car in the world, but it’s a winner in terms of drivability, practicality and affordability. Add into the equation the new dimension brought to the model by the introduction of the mild hybrid powertrain and it becomes clear that this really is a vehicle that could suit pretty much anyone’s needs.

Facts at a glance
Model: Kia Sportage
Price: £34,545
Engine: 2.0-litre 48V diesel mild hybrid
Power (bhp): 182
Torque (Nm): 400
Max speed (mph): 125
0-60mph: 9.2 seconds
MPG: TBA
Emissions (g/km): TBA

Ford’s works-backed rally team has launched the MS-RT Transit Custom – a van designed to combine practicality with performance style.

MS-RT – M-Sport Rally Team – is Ford’s works-backed racing team. It has used the wide range of technology at its disposal to let van drivers go about their daily commercial duties with the feeling that they are also driving a sporty vehicle.

On the outside, the van has undergone a full front bumper and grille replacement, with integrated fog lamps, an extreme front diffuser, wide body arch extensions, sills, rear diffuser and rear spoiler. All the parts are manufactured at MS-RT’s factory in Pontypool, south Wales.

Also included in the package are a twin sports exhaust system, exclusive exterior decals and 18-inch Anthracite OZ Racing alloys with 103 XL load-rated Hankook Ventus S1 evo² tyres, as well as Eibach performance lowering springs. These components improve handling and responsiveness while maintaining the Transit’s payload capacity, says Ford.

The performance theme continues inside, with handcrafted nappa leather and suede seat facings, and a sports steering wheel with carbon-fibre inlays. The rally-style aesthetic is completed with MS-RT-branded floor mats and dash clocks.

The MS-RT Transit Custom comes with the Ford SYNC 3 infotainment system and satellite navigation as standard, in addition to dual side-loading doors, load space lighting, a 230-volt power converter, parking sensors, reversing camera, heated windscreen, heated seats and upgraded HID headlights with integrated daytime running lights.

Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre diesel engine, producing 167bhp and 405Nm of torque. This powertrain can be paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Several different cabin layouts are available, including a two-seat panel van, three-seat panel van, five-seat double cab and six-seat double cab, as well as a choice of long or short wheelbases and a tailgate or twin back doors.

Ed Davies, founding director of MS-RT, said: “The new MS-RT Transit Custom takes an already excellent van and turns it into something really special, which owners are bound to cherish and which businesses will use to make their brands really stand out.

“We’re extremely excited about the launch of the new Custom and what it means for MS-RT, as well as our many loyal customers. In addition, it’s also great news for the British economy, as every single vehicle is hand-finished in our factory in Pontypool.”

Full details of pricing and specification for the MS-RT Transit Custom will be announced next month.

Vauxhall has created a pocket-sized tool designed to help the modern parent with the many tasks they face on a day-to-day basis.

The Life HaX, which is similar in style to a Swiss Army knife and marks the launch of the Grandland X SUV, comes after research by Vauxhall found that 57 per cent of parents felt under pressure to switch between different roles, ranging from chef, entertainer and handyman to tech expert and storyteller.

It includes a car maintenance laser, which can be attached to the bonnet of a Grandland X, where it will shine a light to show where the screen wash, oil cap and dipstick are.

There are also plenty of smartphone-related tools, such as wide-angle and macro camera lens attachments, a battery power bank, a pin for removing the SIM card from a phone and a touchscreen stylus.

Additionally, the Life HaX comes with a torch, a pick for undoing tight knots and a screwdriver. All the tool’s elements were chosen by parents – although the 32 per cent who wanted a mute button to keep their children quiet will be disappointed.

Vauxhall’s research, which polled 2,000 people, also showed that 47 per cent of parents saw their roles as interchangeable, with more mothers than fathers feeling the need to multi-task.

Richard Shaw, chief designer at Vauxhall, said: “At Vauxhall, we’re always looking for ways to make drivers’ lives easier, and the Grandland X is no exception.

“Inspired by our new SUV, the Life HaX provides parents with the tools they need to enjoy life’s daily adventures, combining the practicality and style of the car that inspired it.”

The Grandland X is on sale now with a starting price of £22,310. The Life HaX is a limited-edition product and is now available to order, although Vauxhall has not yet been able to confirm a price.

Airports are paving the way for autonomous technology by testing driverless vehicles to help make them more efficient.

Autonomous technology company Oxbotica is working in partnership with Gatwick Airport to host a six-month trial that will see staff ferried around by self-driving buses.

While in Norway, a Scandinavian company called Yeti Snow Technology, has developed ploughs that use autonomous technology to clear snow.

At Gatwick, passengers will not be included in the initial trial, nor will the movement of aircraft – at first limited to airside roads between the North and South terminals at Britain’s second-biggest airport.

If the initial trial is successful, Oxbotica says it could expand it to include other vehicles used around the airport, such as push back tugs, passenger load bridge, baggage tugs and passenger transport buses.

Delighted to be working with @Gatwick_Airport @XLCatlin on such an exciting Mobility as a Service opportunity. #Transport is everywhere in so many shapes and sizes and #Autonomy has a vast role to play. #airports @ccavgovuk @innovateuk https://t.co/uH7w420rMM pic.twitter.com/esnicjmwG3

— Oxbotica (@oxbotica) March 19, 2018

Graeme Smith, chief executive officer of Oxbotica, said: “Airports offer an incredibly interesting domain for our autonomous driving software. There is a huge diversity of vehicles, each with a very specific mission.

“The challenge of choreographing all of the activity around an individual plane, or in support of airport operations is immense and we look forward to working closely with Gatwick on this initial pilot that will demonstrate our self-driving technology carrying staff around the airfield.”

Cathal Corcoran, chief information officer for Gatwick Airport, said: “If this trial proves successful then in the future we could have an Uber-like service operating across the airfield which staff can hail as and when they need to travel.

“This trial is just the start and much more research will be needed, but ultimately this could be the start of widespread use of autonomous vehicles on airfields across the world. The new technology is a more efficient way to manage vehicles and could lead to a reduction in the number of vehicles required, their associated costs and harmful emissions.”

In Norway, the huge snowploughs are based on Mercedes-Benz HGVs, measuring 20m in length and five metres in width.

They were tested Fagernes Airport in Leirin – 124 miles north of Oslo – where they had to clear enough snow so that planes would be able to take off and land.

Working in formation, they are able to work out the most efficient snow clearing pattern and have sufficient capacity to clear a 357,500m² area in the space of one hour.

Markus Granlund, CEO of Semcon, commented: “Autonomous snowploughs will allow airports all over the world to streamline their activities and reduce delays for their passengers.

“This is a good example of how autonomous vehicles can increase profitability and add value for people.”

John Emil Halden, project manager at Semcon, added: “We have designed a control system that sets up digital patterns for autonomous snow clearance at airports.

“The system can then download these patterns and monitor a number of vehicles that navigate using RTK GPS – an accurate form of position measurement – and communicate using 4G modems.”