Kia has revealed the upgrades in the 2002 model year Sedona including the fitting of removable seats, the most powerful diesel engine fitted to any MPV on the market, aircraft-style tables and rain sensing wipers and fully removable second and third row seats.

Guy Jones, Kia marketing director said: "The fantastic success of Sedona bears testimony to the design of the product as well as the competitiveness of our pricing. The ability to be able to remove the seats in the new car increases its flexibility, making the Sedona attractive to an even wider group of customers."

The new CRDi (Common Rail Turbo Diesel) engine is the most powerful diesel engine fitted in an MPV. This 2.9-litre engine produces 143bhp at 3,800rpm, a 14% increase from the previous engine, while peak torque is 310Nm at 2,000rpm. A redesign of the engine intake means the Sedona is now quieter.

The rear bumper now includes a rear step plate to protect the top of the bumper when loading heavy or awkward loads, cup holders are located in all three rows of seats, solar glass is fitted to the windscreen and front door glass, and there are dual sunglass holders in the roof. In the LX and SE models, seat back tables are now provided for second row passengers, while there is a lockable tray under the passenger seat, shopping bag hooks behind the third row seat, and power outlets in the front and rear of the car for mobile phones and cool boxes.

Visual changes to the new Sedona include revised front grille and restyled air intake on the bonnet of the turbodiesel, wider front bumper and freshly designed 4-level headlamps, wider rear windscreen and revised rear bumper treatment. Safety has been further enhanced with the model year 2002 Sedona. Reinforced front pillars have a cross-section strength that is improved by 25% reducing door deformation in the event of a crash. The strengthened front bumper and an additional sub frame improves the car's ability to absorb heavier crash impacts on the front of the vehicle.

A revised line-up of three models begins with the L specification which includes 2.9-litre CRDi diesel or 2.5-litre V6 petrol engines, twin sliding side doors, a remote control keyless entry, driver and passenger airbags, electric front windows, driver's seat lumbar support, height adjustable single armrests on front seats and dual height adjustable armrests on second row seats, double sunglass holder, and roof rails. The LX trim gains ABS with EBD, air conditioning, tinted rear glass, seatback shopping hooks, chrome finished door handles, and aircraft style seat back tables. In addition the SE offers leather upholstery, leather steering wheel, alloy wheels, power folding mirrors, eight way adjustable drivers seat, CD player, rain sensing wipers, electrically-operated rear quarter windows and an electric driver's seat.

The 2002 Model Year Sedona goes on sale on November 1 and dealers will receive demonstration cars from October 19.

2002 model pricing:
Sedona 2.5 V6 L manual £13,995
Sedona 2.9 CRDi L manual £14,250
Sedona 2.9 CRDi L automatic £15,100
Sedona 2.5 V6 LX manual £15,995
Sedona 2.9 CRDi LX manual £16,250
Sedona 2.9 CRDi LX automatic £17,100
Sedona 2.9 CRDi SE manual £18,250
Sedona 2.5 V6 SE automatic is £18,845.
Sedona 2.9 CRDi SE automatic £19,100.

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