Cars & Autos | Thursday 19 February, 2015 11:48 am |

- Al Majid Motors Co. the sole distributor of KIA Motors in the UAE, has launched its latest automotive offering, the All-New Sorento. The eagerly anticipated sports utility vehicle (SUV) in its third generation guise was unveiled in the prestigious surroundings of the Ritz Carlton, DIFC, Dubai.

“The All-New Sorento is an entirely different model from its illustrious predecessor that itself was responsible for setting a new benchmark in SUV standards in its price-range,” said Mohammed Khader, President of Al Majid Motors Co, sole distributor for KIA Motors in the UAE. “The Sorento is the company’s second best-selling model with an over 18 per cent sales ratio in the company’s SUV range. The All-New Sorento is expected to increase unit sales in view of the fact that it is a totally redesigned vehicle that features a host of new developments relating to performance, build quality, luxury, road holding and safety,” he added.

The All-New Sorento 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.

Adding to the All-New Sorento’s road holding abilities is its re-designed body shell, which uses 52.7 percent ultra-high tensile steel (UHTS) as opposed to 24.4 percent in the previous-generation model. The additional use of UHTS makes for improved torsional rigidity (14 percent 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.

Drivers and passengers in The All-New Sorento can enjoy a raft of new on-board technologies that improve convenience and enhance the driving and ownership experience. The 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 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.

With a choice of 2.4 MPI and 3.3 MPI gasoline engine, all of which have been upgraded from the previous model, and numerous other additional improvements and enhancements, the All-New Sorento, is expected to prove another big hit with customers.

“The third generation All-New Sorento 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. 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,” Said Khader.

“To meet and exceed our Customer’s expectations, Al Majid Motors Will be investing over 200 Million Dirhams on our new facilities which include a state of the art 3 level KIA flagship showroom on Shk Zayed Road, A massive service facility in Al Quose, and a modern 3S facility on Shk Mohammad Bin Zayed Road. Sharjah , We will be enhancing our Facilities in Fujairah in future”, added Khader.

Mr. Alex Chung, President of Kia Motors Middle East & Africa Regional Headquarters, said: “2014 was very successful for Kia in the Middle East, recording double digit growth over the previous year. With fantastic products like the all-new Sorento, and through support from long established partners like Al Majid Motors co, we look forward to another year of growth in the UAE and region as a whole.”


The All-New Kia Sorento is the seventh Kia model to secure an iF Design Award. In every year since 2010, at least one of the coveted awards has been scooped by Kia Motors, with previous winners from the brand including the Kia Venga, Sportage, Optima, Picanto, pro_cee’d and Soul.