Kia moves on with a Venga

Jan 31 2010 Mike Torpey

Kia moves on with a Venga

KOREAN car maker Kia takes pride in what it calls 'the power to surprise' and is planning a multiple treat for customers this spring.

Having wowed fans of the fast-expanding marque last year with its funky Soul model, the company is launching another completely new offering in the shape of family-size compact MPV the Venga.

Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, the Venga features an unusually long wheelbase for its class - 2,615mm - plus a high roofline to maximise cabin space.

There will be a choice of 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines, generating between 75 and 128PS and every version will be equipped with a sliding 60/40 split rear seat that also folds flat into the floor.

Joining Venga in Kia's spring sales assault is the all-new Sorento 4x4, which has already been awarded the maximum five-star safety rating in the latest Euro NCAP crash test results, placing it among the safest SUVs on the road.

Every Sorento will be equipped as standard with twin front, front side and full-length curtain airbags to protect the occupants in all three seat rows, plus three-point seat belts for all middle row and back row passengers.

In addition, all Sorento models in the UK will come with 'active' front seat head restraints to protect against whiplash injuries.

The car is also longer and lower than the outgoing model and incorporates Kia's new design DNA making it look a real highline cruiser, while featuring a more spacious and luxurious cabin.

A key model in the Kia line-up is the oddly-named family model the cee'd, which was revamped a few months ago to offer more kit, comfort and luxury with prices from £11,595.

This is the first car from the Korean stable to be offered with emissions-busting EcoDynamics courtesy of an Intelligent Stop & Go system, which turns off the engine when the car is stationary.

Cee'd makes clear sense to business users, its CO2 emissions of just 110g/km meaning that companies can claim 100% company car tax write-down in the first year of operation.

Of overall appeal is the figure of 67.3 miles per gallon economy and the 13 per cent rate of benefit-in-kind tax, considerably lower than many rivals.

The award-winning Sportage SUV remains among the best cars in its class at the starting price of £14,895 while the Picanto city car, from £6,495, looks neat and is cheap to run.

Kia has also extended its unique seven-year warranty to all its models - delivering Europe's best manufacturer-backed protection for new car buyers.

Previously available on Kia's European-built products such as cee'd and Sportage, the seven-year warranty will now apply to every vehicle in the range right down to the popular Picanto.