Kia Sorento Diesel Stars in Global Green Challenge

After introducing the cee’d model, it was clear for everybody that Kia was in for a serious makeover. So the Koreans decided to leave no vehicle untouched. Following the introduction of the new Soul and Forte models, the company presented the upgraded and redesigned Sorento crossover at the Seoul Auto show.

The 2010 Sorento got a new diesel powerplant. The 2.2 liter, 200-horsepower “R-diesel” sounds really good. But is it as good as it sounds? Apparently it is, at least economy wise, as the two next-generation Kia Sorento diesels of Team Kia Australia led the SUV Medium class at the end of Day 1 of the 2009 Global Green Challenge, after the 317 km leg from Darwin to Katherine in the Northern Territory.

The R-series turbo diesel engine punches out a staggering 422 Nm of torque using the manual transmission, with a combined ADR fuel consumption of 6.7 liters/100km and CO2 emissions of just 177g/km. So the team entered the competition with two Sorentos with minimal preparation. After Day 1, they were placed on the first and second place in the SUV Medium Class, demonstrating great efficiency and economy on behalf of the R-series.

We’re not sure if Kia will manage to prove that the Sorento CRDi is the most efficient Medium SUV in the Global Green Challenge, but things are looking pretty good from where they’re standing. Maybe Kia can stagger us again.