KIA will revive the Sportage name for a new sport utility vehicle to be unveiled to the public at next month’s Paris Motor Show.

The old Sportage was dropped from UK price lists in 2003 following its introduction in the mid 1990s and survived throughout its lifetime with a single petrol engine.

The new Sportage will be longer, wider and taller than the old model, with a choice of 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 2.7 V6 petrol engines as well as a 2.0-litre common-rail diesel, and will slot into the range below the Sorento SUV.

Yong-Hwan Kim, senior executive vice-president of Kia Motors, said: ‘Adding to our quickly expanding product line-up, the all-new Sportage will reinforce Kia’s presence in the SUV market, where the award-winning Sorento is already so popular.’

The rear seat cushion and backrest has a unique ‘fold and dive’ system to create a square-sided, completely flat cargo area. The front passenger seat backrest can fold flat to accommodate extra-long loads and at the rear, the top-hinged tailgate features a flip-up window like the Sorento for added loading versatility. The spare wheel is carried internally, beneath the cargo area floor, so the gas-strut supported tailgate is easy to operate.

The new Sportage will be launched in the UK in 2005.