The Kia Sportage's "Hearbeat"

The Sportage is powered by the strongest “hearts”: the independently developed high-tech clean passenger diesel R engine and the internationally recognized Theta II 2.0 World Engine.

First, let’s take a look at the diesel R-2.0 engine that boasts world-leading output and fuel efficiency among same-class peers. It is being hailed as an eco-friendly option in the 2.0 liter class passenger diesel engine market, a segment which has been experiencing the fiercest competition among global automakers.


The R-2.0 engine benefits from the third generation common rail system and is equipped with numerous new technologies such as the 1800 bar Piezo injector, highly-efficient electronic variable turbo charger and a particulate filter that is directly attached to the engine.


The engine also boasts performance far above same-class vehicles, with maximum output of 184 horsepower and maximum torque of 40.0kgm. At the same time, it also offers class-leading fuel efficiency of 15.6km/l.

In addition, the Sportage’s diesel R-2.0 engine comes with environmentally-friendly technology and competitiveness as it satisfies Euro-5 emissions standards which are one of the strictest environmental standards.

The strong and earth-positive passenger diesel R-engine is without a doubt, the heart of the Sportage!



Theta II 2.0 Gasoline Engine
Seung-seok Lee, Sr. Research Engineer, Gasoline Engine Design Team

The Theta II 2.0 liter engine for the Sportage is the internationally recognized World Engine. However, Kia Motors engineers were not content to rest with that fact and applied an array of optimized new technologies to fine tune the Theta II engine for the Sportage.

The newly reborn Theta II 2.0 liter engine is equipped with new technologies such as Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), VIS (Variable Induction System) and a cylinder head that lowers the exhaust temperature. As a result, the engine offers class-leading performance of 166 maximum horsepower and 20.1 kgm maximum torque. Now let’s take a closer look at some of the new technologies featured in the Sportage.


First, the CVVT enables optimal intake/exhaust valve timing to improve fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust gases like hydrocarbon by up to 30%.

The variable induction system is a technology that controls the intake port by engine speed ranges (mid-range, low/high speed) to enable optimized performance throughout all driving speed ranges.
Lastly, the cylinder head that reduces exhaust temperature enhances the heat transmission of exhaust gas by increasing the heat transference area of the engine’s combustion chamber. This reduces the temperature of exhaust gas and can improve fuel efficiency during high-speed driving by approximately 3%. In other words, it’s a technology that reduces the temperature of gases emitted outside the vehicle to enhance fuel efficiency.


There are many other new technologies present in the Theta II 20.0 liter engine that contribute to its excellent power and fuel efficiency. Listen to the strong “heartbeat” within the Sportage!