What's all this about?
It's the all-new, fourth-generation Kia Sportage, due for a global debut at the forthcoming Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). The Sportage is a crucial car for Kia in the UK, as it represents roughly one in four of all vehicles the company sells on these shores.
Do we know much about the new model?
Not beyond these artist's impressions, which show the Sportage wearing the typically 'on-paper' design cues of the automotive world; namely, alloys the size of Shropshire, a miniature glasshouse and chunky dimensions. Even scaling it back in your mind's eye to something more realistic, though, it looks like a handsome piece of kit.
Any standout design features?
The 'tiger nose' corporate grille of Kia is present and correct, and indeed the whole face of the Sportage is well worth paying attention to as it previews Kia's future design direction. It might just be us, but there's a hint of Porsche Macan about the front of this crossover. At the rear, it's more obviously an update of the current Sportage model.
How about within?
Very little detail, beyond Kia promising that it will be the most 'refined, high-quality cabin' the company has produced to date. This is a good thing as, much as we like the current Sportage, its interior is starting to let the rest of the car down.
Matt Robinson - 17 Aug 2015